Feeney wins Adelaide opener as Brown wins 2024 Supercars title

Broc Feeney has stormed to a comprehensive 12-second victory in the Adelaide 500 opener, but it wasn’t enough to stop teammate Will Brown from wrapping up the 2024 Supercars title.

Brown followed Feeney home for the seventh Red Bull one-two of the season to secure his maiden championship title with one race to spare.

For Feeney, a short first pit stop proved the difference, with the #88 taking on a lighter fuel load in comparison to the lead group. Once the first stops were completed, clear air and strong race pace worked in his favour as he slowly etched out an advantage he would maintain after a longer second stop.

It was a contrast of strategy for Brown, who was forced into a slower first stop when he locked the steering wheel when coming into his bay. He fell to the back of the lead group of five, but would work his way back into the mix through the second and third stints and overturn a six-second margin to Cam Waters to fall into second, more than enough to clinch the title, late in proceedings.

“I’m so glad it’s finished as it was so hot out there,” Brown said after the race.” Awesome day. Broc did a great job. I made it hard for myself in the pits, having the steering wheel locked. The boys couldn’t get the pit stop done there.

“It was awesome to drive back and win the championship in front of all these people. Everyone for coming out today, thank you, really appreciate it. Bunch of legends.

“I wish I could go out and get on the beers tonight but I can’t, I’ve got to behave. Tomorrow night. I’m just stoked to wrap it up today, it’s awesome, a bit of pressure off tomorrow so we can go out there and have some fun.

“I haven’t caught up with everyone yet, but it’s a bit of a surreal moment,” he added. “I don’t think it has quite caught caught up with me just yet. I’m sure it will on Sunday night, but thanks to all my family and friends for coming down as well.”

Consistency has been key for Brown, who has finished on the podium at least once per round, his Adelaide runner-up result his 18th top-three finish of the campaign. He has only finished outside the top ten once in 2024.

For Feeney, the win was his sixth of the season, two more than his teammate.

Tickford’s Cam Waters was the first Mustang home, completing the podium in third, one second behind Brown, having held off a late challenge from lead Kiwi Matt Payne, who crossed the line fourth.

Tickford’s Thomas Randle rounded the top five, having led early but dropped off the pace through the second and third stints. He pulled aside to allow his teammate Waters through to challenge the Red Bulls on Lap 46, and fell into the clutches of a fast-finishing Payne on Lap 60.

Brodie Kostecki ran a tidy race for a commendable sixth, ahead of Andre Heimgartner, James Courtney, and Anton De Pasquale.

Ryan Wood made it three Kiwis in the top ten in tenth, while Jaxon Evan’s Top 10 Shootout performance was followed by a 19th-placed finish.

Richie Stanaway was a notable omission from the grid after sustaining concussion-like symptoms following his crash in Friday’s qualifying.

Dale Wood stood in as his replacement and finished 22nd.

Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Chaz Mostert battled clutch issues at the start of the formation lap and pulled into pit lane ahead of the start before rejoining and working his way forward to 13th.

Supercars return for Race 24 qualifying at 12.50 pm NZST on Sunday before the Top 10 Shootout at 3.05 pm and the season-finale at 5.45 pm.

Adelaide 500 Race 1 Provisional Results

Header Image: Supercars