Sunday Talking Points: Red letter day for Brown in wild race

The 2024 Penrite Oil Sandown 500 will go down as one of the more dramatic editions of the endurance classic.

It might’ve been a Red Bull Ampol Racing one-two, but there was plenty of drama and tales of woe behind.

Will Brown made the biggest championship statement of the season, holding off teammate Broc Feeney in a frantic sprint to the finish to claim a maiden Sandown 500 win alongside Scott Pye.

Brown extended his points margin over Chaz Mostert by 108 points, now holding a 189-point buffer heading into the biggest weekend of the season at Mount Panorama.

Mostert survived a wild spin for co-driver Lee Holdsworth to salvage seventh in the Optus Mustang, but it was a day where no one could catch the Red Bull Camaros.

Supercars.com looks at some of the big talking points from the Penrite Oil Sandown 500.

Another Sandown classic

If this is to be the last Sandown 500, what a dramatic way to bow out. Whilst there was trepidation as to what the new rule mandating primary drivers to start endurance races would do to strategy, we still got a dramatic finish to Sandown. As always seems to be the case, there were movers and shakers aplenty as the race rolled out, with strategies going for and against several cars based on the five Safety Cars and one full course yellow period that we saw on a wild day. Whilst there was controversy surrounding the new Safety Car procedures, that delivered a new strategic dynamic, giving the chance for teams to react to what teams were doing around them. From a driving point of view, all of the co-drivers essentially had their own race within a race, which proved to be a critical point in the race, with several fancied names making mistakes. In the end, it boiled down to a duel between the two Red Bull Camaros, with PremiAir Racing adding a feelgood factor with their maiden podium. Another Sandown precursor befitting of the Bathurst that is yet to come.

Triple Eight flex championship muscle

Red Bull Ampol Racing were always the favourites heading into the Sandown 500, but what they delivered today was crushing. The race pace of the two Camaros was unrivalled over a full run, and the only thing that looked like threatening a one-two finish was an awkward moment between Will Brown and Broc Feeney as the latter rejoined from his penultimate pit stop. It was a textbook Triple Eight enduro performance, and a performance that no one could match. Mistakes were limited both on and off track with flawless pit stops, almost robotic stints from Scott Pye and Jamie Whincup in a portion of the race when several co-drivers made crucial errors, before Brown and Feeney finished the job, with the former claiming 300 points in a big day for his title challenge. As if to underscore the dominance, the wildcard entry of Craig Lowndes and Cooper Murray was arguably the performer of the day. Starting 18th, Lowndes wound back the clock by scything his way through the field in the first half of the race, before Murray held off the likes of Cam Waters and Chaz Mostert to claim a sensational fifth. It’s an ominous warning to the rest of the paddock before Bathurst, where Red Bull will be aiming for a team three-peat.

PremiAir realise potential

PremiAir Racing team owner Peter Xiberras has made no secret of his desire to get his young team to the front of the Supercars pack in a hurry, and today that wish was granted. Since entering the sport in 2022, Xiberras has brought in the driving talent of James Golding, the engineering firepower of Ludo Lacroix and Romy Mayer, and Triple Eight chassis. It’s been a combination that has threatened to break through for big results, with Golding claiming his and the team’s maiden pole position at Darwin earlier in the year. The final piece in the puzzle has proven to be the wily enduro veteran David Russell, who moved from Erebus Motorsport and has brought immediate results to the team. The #31 Nulon Camaro steadily worked it’s way forward from 14th on the grid to be third by lap 90, with Golding holding on to claim a richly deserved podium for both drivers and team. There were wild celebrations from the team as Golding and Russell took to the podium, and now that they have a taste of success, there’s no doubt the appetite for more will be driven by the likes of Xiberras and Lacroix, proven winners in the sport. And given that Golding and Russell have always excelled at Mount Panorama, the wait for a second podium might not be very long at all.

Tales of what could’ve been

The Red Bull Ampol Racing domination drove several of their closest rivals into big mistakes, with one in particular potentially having massive ramifications in the title race. When Lee Holdsworth had a wild spin across the bow of Garth Tander on lap 42, the hearts of Walkinshaw Andretti United would've been in their mouths. Despite losing a bit of bodywork after clattering the kerb, Holdsworth was able to continue, but the day of the #25 Optus Mustang never really recovered, and Chaz Mostert could only salvage seventh at the chequered flag, losing more than 100 points to Brown. Whilst it was a troublesome day for Mostert, a promising day for Erebus was reduced to nought when both of their Camaros found trouble in the closing laps. After an up-and-down day, including a wild ride for Todd Hazelwood after suffering a puncture at Turn 6, Brodie Kostecki was emerging as a serious contender before the #1 Camaro cried enough 14 laps from home. Jack Le Brocq and Jayden Ojeda had gained 15 spots in the sister car before Le Brocq came out second best from a collision with Matt Payne, crashing out of fourth place and eventually finishing 20th. Andre Heimgartner and Declan Fraser were another pair who could've featured towards the front, however strategy went against the Brad Jones Racing Camaro.

All roads lead to Bathurst

Yes, it really is that time of year already. The jewel in the crown of the Supercars calendar is the next stop on the tour, as 26 cars and 52 drivers will do battle to be crowned the latest Kings of the Mountain. There will be at least one different winner this year, as Shane van Gisbergen won't be back to attempt a three-peat, but Red Bull Ampol Racing are more than likely the favourites to complete the job. Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup will be out to avenge last year's late heartbreak, whilst Will Brown and Scott Pye will have a target on their backs following their Sandown win. Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth will be looking to fightback after Mostert's poor points day, and Cam Waters is always one to watch at Bathurst alongside James Moffat. Erebus proved they have enduro pace today, but speed is no use if you can't get the cars to the finish. Matt Payne and Garth Tander shape as a good pairing, as do Grove Racing teammates Richie Stanaway (defending Bathurst winner) and Dale Wood. Who else could spring a surprise? James Golding and David Russell now lead that charge, and Andre Heimgartner and Declan Fraser could also be another pair to watch. The next instalment of the Bathurst 1000 is shaping up to be a cracker.