Another podium here in Townsville for Chaz Mostert after finishing up P3 with Ryan Wood moving up in the Championship to the Top 10!
We kicked off Sunday morning on a high note with both cars securing tickets into the Top 10 Shootout – Ryan provisionally P6 and Chaz close behind in P7 after a strong qualifying performance.
To secure a spot in the Top 10 Shootout, Ryan had to dig into his tyre allocation and use an extra set of green tyres, which left him compromised for the Shootout and ultimately starting the 200km race from P10.
Chaz battled with grip during his lap but still managed to secure P8 – a definite step up from yesterday’s starting position and a solid base for the final race of the weekend.
As the track heated up for Race 22, both cars got away cleanly, managing tyres early before charging forward through the field. Opting for a longer first stint, the strategy set up a mid-race sprint with plenty of passing.
The Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing No.2 came into the pits, taking four tyres, charging with fresher rubber. Chaz stayed out the longest, a lighting fast 5.9 second stop got him out just ahead of Brodie Kostecki in effective P6.
Chaz was flying – setting the fastest lap and slicing past Payne and De Pasquale to reach P4, while Ryan climbed up to P8 and kept closing the gap to the cars ahead.
In the final stint, Chaz hunted down Cam Waters and boldly dived down the inside to snatch the final podium spot with 11 laps to go.
Ryan, half a second quicker than the pack ahead, pushed for P5 but was held up by Randle, eventually passing him and crossing the line P7. That result gives Ryan three Top 10 finishes for the weekend – moving him back into the Top 10 in the championship.
A massive thanks to NTI for putting on an awesome event – great racing and a lot of off-track entertainment for the fans!
We have a few weeks off now before we head to Queensland Raceway for the final round of the Sprint-Series, one of Chaz’s favourite tracks!
Ryan Wood
“Up and down weekend, we finished every race in the Top 10 which is great, even today when we had the splitter hanging down for half the race.
“All and all, it’s great to be back in the Top 10 in the championship getting some fresh air behind us to 11th too which is good.
“We can hold our heads high as a team, the whole crew executed during each race this weekend, a massive thanks to them.”
Chaz Mostert
“What a wild three races! I am so proud of our team and what we were able to do this weekend, we turned the car around from where we rolled out of the truck.
“Can’t complain about a sixth, a second from 17th and a third, we have two shiny belt buckles to take home with us which is really cool.
“It’s really nice and humbling to know we have fast race cars on a street circuit, that will really come into our favour towards the end of the season in the finals.”