Sydney, NSW – Brodie Kostecki, the 2023 Supercars champion, has responded to criticism from Aaron Cameron following a controversial collision during the final race of the Dunlop Sydney 500 on Sunday. The incident, which occurred while battling for fourth position, resulted in Cameron finishing 17th and Kostecki being demoted from fourth to 12th after receiving a 15-second penalty. The clash has sparked debate within the Supercars paddock, with Cameron questioning Kostecki’s racing tactics.
The core of the dispute centers around Kostecki’s move at Turn 2 on the final lap. Cameron expressed his disbelief after the race, stating, “It just doesn’t make sense to me why you would do that.” He suggested Kostecki was anticipating a move at Turn 6 and that the incident unnecessarily cost Ford a potential top-five finish. The incident also prevented Cameron from immediately discussing the matter with Kostecki, as he was reportedly stopped from approaching the DJR garage post-race. The Repco Supercars Championship continues to generate intense competition and scrutiny, as evidenced by this post-race exchange.
Kostecki Defends His Actions
Kostecki addressed the situation on his Lucky Dogs podcast, initially offering a lighthearted jab at Cameron’s team, stating, “[BRT] actually had to buy some mirrors off of us because they didn’t have enough mirrors, and Aaron still couldn’t use them for the last lap.” However, he later revisited the topic with a more detailed explanation of his perspective. According to Kostecki, Cameron was aware of his presence and intention to challenge for position. “He said that I was coming, so he was aware that I was there,” Kostecki explained. He further clarified that he was utilizing the exit of Turn 5 and “blowing out” due to avoiding track limits.
Kostecki dismissed Cameron’s suggestion that he was unnecessarily aggressive, labeling it a “cop out.” He emphasized his commitment to racing for every available position, stating, “I race for every position and if I wouldn’t, then I wouldn’t be a race car driver…” Despite the on-track conflict, Kostecki expressed a degree of respect for Cameron and Blanchard Racing Team, acknowledging the progress they’ve made.
DJR’s Response and Cameron’s Frustration
Dick Johnson Racing issued a brief statement acknowledging the collision but stating that it was not intentional. Cameron, however, remained frustrated with the outcome, particularly given his strong performance throughout the weekend, which included a maiden podium finish on Friday night. He had recovered well from tyre issues in the previous race and felt a top-five finish was within reach before the incident. Cameron lamented the lost opportunity, stating it was “not something you would expect coming into the weekend.”
The incident highlights the intense competition within the Supercars Championship and the fine line between aggressive racing and reckless maneuvers. The clash between Kostecki and Cameron underscores the challenges drivers face when battling for position in the closing stages of a race.
Sydney 500 Race 2 Results
Anton De Pasquale of DEWALT Racing won Race 2 of the Repco Supercars Championship at the Dunlop Sydney 500 on Saturday, February 21, 2026, with a time of 1:25:49.315 over 52 laps. Brodie Kostecki finished second, 3.4 seconds behind, and Matthew Payne rounded out the podium in third. Full race results are available on the Supercars website.
The Supercars Championship now moves on to its next event, with teams and drivers looking to build on their performances from the Sydney 500. The championship standings will continue to evolve as the season progresses, and the rivalry between drivers like Kostecki and Cameron is sure to add further intrigue to the competition.
What are your thoughts on the Kostecki-Cameron clash? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the discussion!
