Shane van Gisbergen, the defending series Supercars Champion, is set to join the iconic 500 club later today as he celebrates his 500th race start in the Repco Supercars Championship. The action takes place at the NTI Townsville 500, which is known for delivering some of the most thrilling races of the year. This will be the second and final 250-kilometre battle in Townsville.
Yesterday, the young talent Will Brown, driving the #9 Coca-Cola Camaro, secured his first-ever win in North Queensland, catapulting him into the Championship lead. With a 59-point advantage over his teammate and former Championship leader, Brodie Kostecki, Brown is aiming to claim his fifth victory of the year in today’s race.
Another promising driver, Broc Feeney from Red Bull, finished second in the previous race. Feeney has shown remarkable prowess in Sunday races this season, emerging victorious in the last four Sunday races of race weekends.
Chaz Mostert, driving a Ford Mustang, had to settle for third place in the last race. Despite his frustration, he remains the highest-placed Mustang driver in the Championship standings, currently sitting in fifth position.
However, all eyes will be on Shane van Gisbergen today as he reaches the significant milestone of 500 career race starts. As a now NASCAR race winner and the defending Supercars Champion, van Gisbergen is determined to secure a victory in this milestone race. By doing so, he hopes to maintain pressure on Brown, Kostecki, and Feeney in the Championship race.
The Repco Supercars Championship action resumes on Sunday morning with ARMOR ALL qualifying for Race 17 at 10:00 am AEST. This will be followed by the ARMOR ALL Top Ten Shootout at 12:00 pm, leading up to the 250-kilometre, 88-lap race, which commences at 2:40 pm.
If you’re eager to catch the excitement, live coverage of the NTI Townsville 500 can be found on Seven and Foxtel. For streaming options, you can tune in to 7plus or Kayo.
Get ready for a thrilling day of Supercars racing as van Gisbergen reaches his 500th race start and the drivers battle it out for crucial Championship points at the NTI Townsville 500