2023-03-31 16:30:00
The West Australian 25-year-old nicknamed "Bush" claimed the first win of his career victory in a race where the Safety Car, weather, pit strategies, red flags in F2 and F3 and even a car fire played a critical part in the result.
Second place today went to veteran James Courtney in the Snowy Rivers Caravan Ford Mustang, and third went to defending Supercars Champion Shane van Gisbergen.
Kostecki's teammate Will Brown had the perfect start, overtaking pole sitter van Gisbergen when the starting flag dropped and holding an early lead through opening laps.
The first Safety Car was called when David Reynolds Penrite Mustang went into a gravel trap on the opening lap.
The Mobil 1 NTI Mustang of Nick Percat then became the focal point of attention as it caught fire after an early collision. Percat safely walked from the car in pit lane as crews from various teams put the blaze out with extinguishers.
When racing resumed, Brown got away from van Gisbergen and held his lead while Kostecki pushed his way up to the side of the #97 Red Bull Camaro.
As the trio fought for the lead, van Gisbergen put it all on the line but Brown held firm as KOstecki bumped his way through.
Van Gisbergen dropped off as Courtney, Broc Feeney and Chaz Mostert took advantage and the top six cars battled for the lead side by side through the famous F1 Grand Prix turns at Albert Park.
Kostecki pitted early and it proved the master stroke that led to his win.
As racing continued and various drivers took the lead when Brown and other race leaders pitted for their mandatory stop, Kostecki became the official race leader.
The Safety Car was deployed for a second time when Jack Le Brocq's Truck Assist Mustang crashed into one of the concrete walls.
With the race set to a time certain finish due to F1 practice times, Kostecki followed the Safety Car past the chequered flag for the first win of his career.
As it now stands, Kostecki is just 11 points behind Mostert in the Championship race. Brown is now third while van Gisbergen has moved up to fourth, 97 points behind Mostert.
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The tension is high at Mount Panorama as today’s qualifying session will decide who earns a coveted spot in tomorrow’s fan-favourite Boost Mobile Top Ten Shootout.
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