SUPERCARS SEASON OPENER -NEWCASTLE 500
Saturday Race
Van Gisbergen and Feeney led a Triple Eight Camaro one-two win for the season opener on Saturday. The reigning champion crossed the line nearly 15 seconds over teammate Feeney.
Broc Feeney - Car #88
“It was so cool to get this result for the team who have put in so much work over the last two-to-three years”
Shane van Gisbergen - Car #97
“Today was a huge day for the team. The amount of effort that not only our team has put into building these cars but the whole category has been amazing. For us to get a team one-two is amazing, and it’s so special for the team because they’ve all worked so hard and the cars have run really well”
It’s been a frantic start to the 2023 Supercars Season for Walkinshaw Andretti, with Race 1 in the books. Chaz Mostert pushed hard for the podium all afternoon, just running out of laps, while Nick Percat’s, unfortunately, ended early.
After the race, Ford squads Tickford and Walkinshaw Andretti United lodged appeals against Triple Eight. Red Bull Ampol Racing has confirmed it will appeal its double disqualification from Saturday’s Thrifty Newcastle 500 opener.
It was confirmed on Sunday morning that Shane van Gisbergen, and Broc Feeney were excluded from the Race 1 results due to a technical breach.
CHAZ MOSTERT- Car #25
“It’s shame we just missed out on a trophy today, we pushed hard, but to get a solid finish first race of the year with so many unknowns, we will definitely take it. It’s a good way to start the season.
Sunday Race
There was a heated battle between Walkishaw and the Red Bull Ampol Teams in the closing stages of the time certain race, both drivers contacting the other as van Gisbergen executed a classic overcut strategy.
In the end the result went the way of van Gisbergen, who logged a first Gen3 win after having his Saturday victory taken away due to a technical breach earlier today.
With the traffic cleared van Gisbergen was able to properly use his tyre advantage, the gap down to within a second with five minutes left.
The race peaked several laps later when van Gisbergen nudged Mostert wide at Turn 9 to take the lead and secured the Win for Red Bull Ampol racing!
That Saturday DSQ for van Gisbergen means Mostert leads the series after the opening round.
Shane van Gisbergen - Car #97
“I want to say a huge thank you to the Red Bull Ampol Racing team for their efforts in a faultless weekend. Both of our cars were awesome all weekend, and I like to think all of our talking was done on the track. To get another race win to start the season is awesome and I’m so proud of everyone at the team for what they’ve achieved. I also want to thank all of the fans in Newcastle – it was great to be back here.”
Broc Feeney - Car #88
“The team had a great strategy, so we pitted early and went very aggressive and managed the rest of the race from there. We ended up in fifth position and only a second or two off a podium. Overall, it’s been a solid weekend – a second and a fifth. Hopefully, we’ll get the points from Saturday’s race to keep that second place”
Chaz Mostert – Car #25
Mostert said: "[The pass] was a little bit cheeky. I don't mind rubbing is racing, but when you get a clear pass from it, it's a bit cheeky."
