Brown, Waters luckless in chaotic NASCAR race

Luck has evaded Supercars stars Will Brown and Cam Waters in a chaotic NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma.

Brown and Waters made their Cup Series debuts on Monday (AEST), but both drivers’ efforts were undone in a race won by 2021 champion Kyle Larson.

Supercars championship leader Brown suffered electrical problems in his #33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet.

Waters, meanwhile, was forced into retirement after his #60 RFK Racing Stage 60 Ford picked up damage early in the race.

Both drivers showed glimpses of speed, Brown running as high as 11th after starting 24th.

However, Waters was caught up in a dramatic incident which triggered the sixth caution of the race, and was later forced into retirement.

Having started 31st, Waters — who was running just outside the top 10 — was hit after Josh Berry skittled several cars at the Turn 11 hairpin.

Waters carried on, but a suspected bent toe link ultimately sent the #60 Mustang sent to the garage, with the Ford star checked at the medical centre.

Earlier, Brown’s early charge was thanks to speed and a number of incidents ahead of him, with seven cautions triggered in the first 40 laps.

RCR made a strategic decision to pit Brown under caution in Stage 1 before electrical issues took the #33 out of contention.

With the #33 cutting out, Brown pulled off into the infield at the exit of Turn 11, triggering a caution. He dropped two laps, and was then held a lap.

It came a day after a throttle issue left Brown, who was an impressive third in practice, with only around 75 percent power in qualifying.

Waters and Brown will return to Australia after their Sonoma cameos for Round 5 of the 2024 season in Darwin.

Brown leads the championship over teammate Broc Feeney by 136 points, with Waters fourth behind Ford star Chaz Mostert.

The betr Darwin Triple Crown will be held on June 14-16. Tickets for the event are on sale now. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.