Brodie Kostecki has returned to the Supercars winner’s circle, taking victory in the first of two races today at the ITM Christchurch Super 440.
In front of a sell out crowd at Ruapuna Raceway, Kostecki led the field away from pole, while yesterday’s first-time winner Kai Allen nipped at the West Australian’s heels after starting fourth.
20-year old Allen kept the pressure up all race, including during and after the two made their pit stops simultaneously, with Kostecki ultimately able to hold off the South Australian by just over half a second for the win.
It is Kostecki’s fifth win of 2026, and sees the 28-year-old extend his championship lead to 78 over Broc Feeney, who finished fifth.
Allen’s Kiwi teammate Matt Payne was set to feature in the battle for the win, set to charge in the closing laps, only for the right rear wheel on his Ford Mustang to not be tight enough during his compulsory pit stop.
The loose wheel on Payne’s Ford came off of the car the following lap, taking the Aucklander out of contention.
Fellow Kiwi Ryan Wood finished third again for Toyota, his fourth straight podium that also elevates him to third in the championship.
There is one more 120-kilometre Supercars race today at Ruapuna, beginning at 4:10 p.m. NZST.
It will be Wood and Payne starting from first and second for an all-Kiwi front row in Supercars’ debut event on the South island.
The driver who scores the most points across the Taupō and Christchurch events will be awarded the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, named for beloved Kiwi driver Jason Richards who succumbed to cancer in 2011.
Following today’s first race, Wood now leads Kostecki by 28 points in the JR standings.
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