A second place finish for the #17 Shell V-Power Mustang topped off a strong day for the Shell V-Power Racing Team.
It was an excellent start to qualifying for both Brodie Kostecki and Rylan Gray, making it through to the second part of the three part affair. Kostecki would go on to make the Top 10 Shootout with a quick lap as rain started to fall on the Sydney circuit. Gray was unable to make it into the Top 10 after a minor error on his flying lap saw him ultimately start race two in 17th.
For Kostecki, his time in the Top 10 Shootout was only mere inches away from a first pole position of 2026 - instead a front row start would suffice after driving superbly to set the second fastest lap of the afternoon.
Saturday night's race was eventful, with safety cars and double stacking causing chaos in the pit lane.
Kostecki once again showed his strong race pace and combined with a perfect strategy from the Shell V-Power Racing Team crew, he was able to claim second and only narrowly miss out on a maiden 2026 race victory as he made plenty of ground on the race leader.
"It was obviously a really close finish, but everyone at Shell V-Power Racing Team did a fantastic job," Kostecki said post-race.
"I knew we had this car speed yesterday, we just didn't really execute in qualifying too well, but we were able to race hard today, side by side through turn 2 off the start line.
"We just didn't quite have enough speed in the right parts of the race today, but once the track came to us, the Shell V-Power Ford Mustang really came alive in that last stint.
"So, yeah, I know the car's really pacy for tomorrow and it's really good on its tyres. So, yeah, I'm actually looking forward to a bit of daylight and sunshine tomorrow and see how we stack up."
Gray's race was a tough one, with contact in the field impacting his overall race speed and opportunity to progress through the field.
Sunday's race begins at 4.05pm AEDT, with another 52 lap affair to round out the opening event of 2026.
Sunday's best pictures
