Supercars: Winterbottom takes wild Darwin opener

Supercars legend Mark Winterbottom has sensationally claimed victory in the first race of the weekend at the betr Darwin Triple Crown at Hidden Valley Raceway.

It is the 39^th win of Frosty’s career and the first time the Doonside, NSW native has taken the top step since Auckland in 2016, some 197 races ago.

All up it is Winterbottom’s fifth win in Darwin and his first since 2014.
The win is also the first in the history of Charlie Schwerkholt-owned Team 18.

Sophomore Red Bull star Broc Feeney finished in second, while Winterbottom’s former teammate Will Davison was third in his first podium of 2023.

It was a wild start to the 35-lap race, with pole sitter Cam Waters’ (No. 6 Monster Energy Ford Mustang) car suffering a severe fire on Lap 5. Waters stopped the car and got out under his own power, ultimately helping track officials to put out the flames.

Supercars issued the following statement in relation to the fire aboard Car 6:

“An investigation into the Car 6 fire incident in Darwin is underway. Most importantly, Cam Waters safely walked away from the incident unharmed. Following an initial inspection, led by Supercars, Tickford and Herrod Performance Engines, the fire appears to have been caused by a fuel fitting coming loose and is not related to previous fires experienced in the 2023 Championship.”

After a challenging qualifying result this morning, the Coca-Cola Chevrolet Camaros of Brodie Kostecki (No. 99 Coca-Cola Chevrolet Camaro) and Will Brown (No. 9 Coca-Cola Chevrolet Camaro) recovered from starting positions of 10^th and 19^th to finish fourth and seventh.

As a result Kostecki extends his championship lead over Brown to 103 points through 13 races.

Darwin’s own Bryce Fullwood (No. 14 Middy’s Electrical Chevrolet Camaro) came home fifth for his best finish of 2023 and best-ever result at his home track, with reigning Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen (No. 97 Red Bull Ampol Chevrolet Camaro) close behind in sixth.

Race Results