Supercars News: Kostecki wins rain-hit opener in Adelaide

Brodie Kostecki has kicked off the bp Adelaide Grand Final in spectacular fashion, claiming victory in a dramatic, rain-affected sprint that ended under red flag conditions.

The Shell V-Power Racing Team star not only secured a $50,000 cash prize, days after reaffirming his commitment to Dick Johnson Racing with a blockbuster long-term deal.

Second went to Chaz Mostert and third to his teammate Ryan Wood.

Importantly, the result tightened the championship battle, with Mostert’s second-place finish reducing Broc Feeney’s lead from 20 points to just 13 with just Saturday and Sunday’s races in Adelaide left to decide the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship.

It was Kostecki’s 11th career victory, and first ever in Adelaide after two previous pole positions at the famous circuit. His last win was also in South Australia, his last win coming at The Bend in September.

The race began under gloomy skies after a brief delay, with Chaz Mostert and Broc Feeney trading blows through the opening corners.

Mostert briefly seized the advantage at Turn 9, only to concede the position back to pole-sitter Feeney.

Behind them, chaos unfolded as Will Brown was tipped into a spin by Thomas Randle, who later received a penalty, while James Golding and Cameron Hill tangled at the final corner but managed to continue.

Kostecki made his decisive move on lap three, diving past Mostert at Turn 6 after Feeney ran wide.

From there, Kostecki controlled the race, building a lead of 1.7 seconds by lap seven and stretching it to 4.3 seconds before rain struck on lap 19.

As conditions worsened, Randle aquaplaned into the wall at Turn 8, triggering the bp pulse Safety Car.

Officials opted to halt proceedings to repair barriers, and with more than half the race completed, full points were awarded, confirming Kostecki as the winner.

Ryan Wood completed the podium ahead of Feeney, while penalties for Cam Waters promoted Kai Allen and Will Brown to fifth and ninth respectively.

Matt Payne, Andre Heimgartner, Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison, who charged from 25th on the grid, rounded out the top ten.

Waters was reclassified in twelfth. NASCAR star Austin Cindric finished 23rd, while Randle recorded his first DNF since Perth 2023.

Repco Supercars Championship BP Adelaide Grand Final, Race 1