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Darwin Triple Crown Supercars: Opening race brought to halt after 15 seconds by monster crash

The opening Supercars race of the Darwin Triple Crown descended into chaos just 15 seconds after the start with multiple crashes bringing racing to a halt.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 20: (EDITORS NOTE: A circular polarising filter was used for this image) Brodie Kostecki driver of the #38 Shell V-Power Racing Ford Mustang GT during the Darwin Triple Crown, part of the 2025 Supercars Championship, at CARCO.COM.AU Raceway on June 20, 2025 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 20: (EDITORS NOTE: A circular polarising filter was used for this image) Brodie Kostecki driver of the #38 Shell V-Power Racing Ford Mustang GT during the Darwin Triple Crown, part of the 2025 Supercars Championship, at CARCO.COM.AU Raceway on June 20, 2025 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)

A monster crash brought the opening race of the Darwin Triple Crown to a halt less than 15 seconds into a chaotic beginning of racing action.

The usual tussle for spots out of Turn 1 led to tyre contact that sent Brad Jones Racing’s Jaxon Evans flying into the barriers.

A safety car was called as the number 12 Camaro, carrying a lot of speed, crashed into the barriers and was forced out of action with massive damage to the front.

Then further up the track, Maculey Jones in his Pizza Hut entry was rear ended, spinning him a full 180 off the track into the grass.

The race restart was equally as chaotic with Erebus’ Jack Le Brocq losing a wheel following contact with Rylan Wood.

A confrontation took place between the pair as they hopped out of their vehicles with Le Broq giving Wood, who had showed so much promise in practice, an ear full

Richie Stanaway was also in the pits after a huge log jam forced another safety car out of the restart.

Wood has made his feelings known on the official’s decision to restart where they had causing mass chaos and ending his chances in the first race of the Darwin Triple Crown early.

The safety car was in place after Jaxon Evans crashed into a guard rail out of Turn 1, but the ensuing restart caused a multi car crash down the straight.

Kai Allen driver of the #26 Penrite Racing Ford Mustang GT during the Darwin Triple Crown. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images
Kai Allen driver of the #26 Penrite Racing Ford Mustang GT during the Darwin Triple Crown. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Wood’s engine failed and his car slowed causing a mass log jam in the back end of the field with Jack Le Brocq’s tyre bounding away from his vehicle.

He said it “was just one of those things” but made a dig at the decision to restart where they had rather than the final turn.

“We changed our safety car restart to go out on the last corner, but we still didn’t go out on the last corner,” he said.

“So, if we keep doing the same sh-t on restarts the same stuff is going to happen.”

Meanwhile, Evans said he was alright following the opening lap crash, which he felt he had been escorted into.

“Yeah I’m all good, bit of a sore foot but otherwise I’m all good,” he said.

“Didn’t quite execute in qualifying and paid the price racing down the back.

“Felt like I got escorted there at the exit of Turn 1, interlocked wheels and sent me to the fence.

“The car is pretty heavily damaged and unfortunately won’t be racing this afternoon.”

FEENEY LOVE AFFAIR WITH HIDDEN VALLEY ROLLS ON

Broc Feeney’s love affair with Hidden Valley has continued as the Championship leader put on a clinic in Race 18, while a youngster got his first podium.

Feeney on pole for the second time in succession looked on another level to the rest of the field, at stages more than five seconds in front of his closest competition.

The Red Bull rider won the Darwin round in 2023 and 2024 and is well on his way toward the Triple Crown after a telling showing that left second placed Anton De Pasquale way in the rear view.

A late safety car sealed the deal after an incident at the hairpin with David Reynolds sent into a spin after a collision of cars, that ultimately led to a 15 second penalty to Thomas Randle.

“That was an awesome race, it was a bit anticlimactic at the end, but it was really good” Feeney said.

“We ran super long just in case of a safety car or anything like that, and I wasn’t really enjoying it that much.

“I had a couple of guys come out behind me, and it was just super tight and I was just waiting and waiting, but it was great strategy, the pit stops were fantastic.”

He said the Grand Prix where he won four poles but only converted to one win had been a wake-up call for him.

“The car is a rocket, so I was stoked when I got the start because I knew I could just manage the race how I wanted to,” he said.

“The goal for me was to win three races and get the Triple Crown, two down one to go.”

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Kai Allen, from Mt Gambier, achieved his first Supercars podium after a late surge ahead of Brodie Kostecki.

“It’s pretty surreal to be honest,” the youngster who turns 20 on June 26 said.

“To get a podium in my last race as a teenager is pretty cool.”

There was drama elsewhere in the field with Richie Stanaway’s day of woes continuing when he was spun out on the first lap by fellow Kiwi Matthew Payne.

He finished 10th in qualifying but quickly found himself down the back and soon after exited the race.

Originally published as Darwin Triple Crown Supercars: Opening race brought to halt after 15 seconds by monster crash

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/motorsport/supercars/darwin-triple-crown-supercars-opening-race-brought-to-halt-after-15-seconds-by-monster-crash/news-story/c1c9e6bccafd2c24c414219079f24f94