Sunday Talking Points: Last day of school turns into muck-up day

Where to start with the 24th and final race of the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship?

After Will Brown claimed his maiden Repco Supercars Championship yesterday, all bets were off for the final race of the season, and what resulted was arguably the race of the season.

A Grand Final preview

Although Race 24 of the season had nothing on the line in terms of a championship, the 23 drivers that took the start certainly raced like they all had a chance of tasting championship glory. At the end of 78 laps, it was much easier to list all of the cars the didn't sustain any damage - if there were any at all - whilst the sole appearance of the Safety Car was something of a miracle given how many cars were either turned around or deposited into the walls. If that was the intensity of the final race of the year when there's nothing on the line, the on-track product could very well go completely off the charts with four drivers in contention for a championship. This afternoon's race could very well prove to be a little taster of what to expect at next year's VAILO Adelaide Grand Final.

Brown imitates his predecessor

Sent into a spin on lap 9, Will Brown had it all to do. So, he did it. Yes, it came with a bit of luck after the leaders collided, but even then, Brown had charged from 22nd after his spin back to third, which became second when he passed an ailing Chaz Mostert. With Broc Feeney penalised, Brown's comeback was complete. It was a staggering performance, and one worthy of a champion. For all the years of Shane van Gisbergen's comeback efforts, Brown proved he was more than a match for the man he replaced. Stunning.

Feeney, Mostert put on incredible show

Seldom do two drivers drive away from their rivals. That's what Chaz Mostert and Broc Feeney did today. They were peerless on pace, and set the running all day. Pit stop after pit stop, lap after lap, the #25 and the #88 were the guys. Feeney had a fuel advantage after the first stop, so Mostert legged it. Feeney pegged the margin back, leading to the fateful clash in pit lane. Mostert had the bit between his teeth, so you could imagine there was pride on the line in beating Feeney home. In the end, neither gave any room, and it killed both their hopes. Regardless, it was a breathtaking show, and Supercars at its best.

Tough initiations for stars of the future

With Richie Stanaway still medically ruled out of today's running, Grove Racing were finally able to hand Kai Allen an early debut in the #26 Mustang. Allen did a great job to qualify 19th in his first ever competitive laps in a Penrite Ford, however the race was a different story for the 19-year-old. The 2023 Super2 champion suffered damage on the opening lap after being rear-ended by James Courtney in a Turn 6 concertina, and struggled for the rest of day to finish a lapped 22nd on a torrid day for Grove Racing. Cooper Murray also found trouble after being punted into the Turn 9 wall by Cam Waters whilst in the hunt for a top 10 finish, eventually finishing 18th.

Turn 8 claims another victim

This morning's Boost Mobile Qualifying session was marred by another monumental crash at the Turn 8 sweeper. Jaxon Evans became the fourth Supercars driver of the weekend to clip the inside armco barrier at the high-speed turn, before pounding the outside wall in eerily similar fashion to compatriot Stanaway, Cameron Hill, and David Reynolds. The out of control SCT Logistics Camaro then hit a vehicle access point in the fence, before spearing across the track into the inside wall. Despite the extensive damage, Brad Jones Racing believed they were on track to potentially roll the car out for the race, however after being initially cleared to race, Evans was then diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out of the race. It was a disappointing end to a rookie season that showed occasional promise for the internationally renowned GT ace, who will return to BJR in 2025.