Will Brown showcased his dominance by securing a commanding victory in Race 10 at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint, further solidifying his position as a formidable force on the track. Starting from pole position, the Toowoomba native delivered an outstanding performance, marking his second win in three races. Brown previously triumphed from pole at the Bosch Power Tools Perth SuperSprint last month, underscoring his exceptional driving skills.
Coinciding with his 100th Supercars race event, Brad Jones Racing’s Andre Heimgartner clinched second place in Race 10, marking his second podium finish of the 2023 season. Red Bull Chevrolet Camaro driver Shane van Gisbergen secured third place, narrowly overtaking Cam Waters from the Tickford team in a thrilling final-corner manoeuvre. Van Gisbergen’s podium finish not only added to his accolades but also brought his career podium count to an impressive 172, ranking him second in the all-time list.
However, the race was not without its share of drama, as the championship’s top contenders encountered early trouble on the Apple Isle. A chain reaction incident on Lap 2 resulted in a collision between series leader Brodie Kostecki and Cam Waters at the Turn 4 hairpin. This unfortunate incident damaged the steering of Kostecki’s Coca-Cola Camaro, forcing him to make lengthy pit stops for repairs. Although Kostecki valiantly rejoined the race, he finished in 23rd place, six laps behind the leaders.
The incident also had repercussions for Chaz Mostert, who entered the race as the championship’s runner-up. Mostert, a two-time Bathurst 1000 winner, suffered significant damage to his car when he was spun out by Broc Feeney from the Red Bull team. Consequently, Mostert was forced to retire from the race, resulting in a drop to fourth place in the drivers’ championship standings. Meanwhile, van Gisbergen’s strong performance elevated him to the second position, with today’s race winner, Will Brown, securing third place overall.
Scott Pye from South Australia enjoyed a satisfying race, securing his first top-five finish of the 2023 season with a fifth-place result. In a notable achievement, rookie driver Cam Hill representing Truck Assist Racing earned his first career top-10 finish, crossing the finish line in eighth place. Their impressive performances added excitement to the event and showcased the emerging talent in the Supercars championship.
The NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint will resume on Sunday, featuring back-to-back qualifying sessions for Races 11 and 12, scheduled for 9:50 a.m. AEST. Race 11 will commence at 1:05 p.m., followed by Race 12 at 3:50 p.m., promising another day of thrilling action on the track.
