Kiwis Battle Through Chaos: Supercars Highlights from a Thrilling Melbourne Supersprint Race 5

After a thrilling start to the 2025 Melbourne Supersprint yesterday in Albert Park, anticipation was at an all-time high for Race 5 today. 3 Kiwis starting in the Top 10 again after a strong performance in qualifying yesterday.

Brad Jones Racing and Kiwi driver Andre Heimgartner started the race in 4th, PremiAir Racing driver Richie Stanaway behind him in 7th, and Walkinshaw Andretti driver Ryan Wood started 10th, rounding out the Top 10.

Grove Racing driver Matthew Payne started the race 17th, and Brad Jones Racing driver Jaxon Evans 22nd.

Like yesterday’s thriller, the action kicked off on Turn 1. Matt Stone Racing driver Cameron Hill took the lead, with teammate Nick Percat slotting into second place, leaving Triple Eight Racing drivers Broc Feeney and Will Brown stunned in third and fourth position.

It wasn’t long before the first safety car was called out. Walkinshaw Andretti driver Ryan Wood made contact with Erebus Motorsport driver Jack Le Broq, sending Le Broc’s #9 Chevrolet Camaro flying into the exit wall of Turn 4. The car then slid across the track at speed and hit the inside wall of Turn 5, leaving it severely damaged. Race Stewards announced they were investigating the incident.

‘It’s just a whole bunch of craziness. I don’t know what’s going on this weekend, even yesterday. I saw some pretty average stuff yesterday, even replays and stuff like that, and not one penalty was given out. Finally, Wood got given one then for what happened, and I haven’t actually seen it from the outside; it seems like he bombed in there a bit hot and, unfortunately, yeah, a broken race car with only two days to prep for New Zealand so yeah, it’s frustrating.” said Le Broq.

Chad Neylon, a commentator for Supercars, then asked him, “Do you mean just across the field with driving standards, or what do you want to see come for this?”

“Yeah, I’m all for some hard racing, but when we are writing cars off like that, it gets pretty silly. Yeah, the reigns have been let loose a little bit in the last couple of rounds, and I’m all for seeing some good, hard racing. But there’s a bit of silliness going on, and yeah, you wanna see everyone out there having a good go and creating some good entertainment, but yeah, don’t know the answer.” said Le Broq.

The race restarted on Lap 3. Three Kiwis remained in the Top 10. Heimgartner in 5th, Stanaway 7th, Wood 8th, Payne 15th and Evans 22nd.

Wood was showing great pace, making an impressive move on Stanaway on Lap 4 to move up into 7th place. Controversially a decision was made to serve Wood with a pit lane drive-through penalty, penalizing Wood for the earlier incident involving Jack Le Broq. Sending Wood to the rear of the field.

Team 18 driver David Reynolds went off track between Turns 1 and 2, resulting in a second safety car. His car became beached in the gravel after making contact with Tickford Racing driver Thomas Randle. The race stewards noted the incident, confirming no investigation was necessary.

The race restarted with only 7 minutes to go. After two safety cars delayed racing, it went from a 19-lap race to a time-certain race. Matt Stone Racing drivers Cameron Hill and Nick Percat lead the race in an astonishing drive from both drivers.

Continuing his success from yesterday with his maiden podium victory, Cameron Hill adds a race win to his achievements on his 58th start. It was a well-deserved win for Hill, who remained focused throughout the drama that unfolded behind him.

It was a historic Matt Stone Racing 1-2, with teammate Nick Percat crossing the finish line in second place and Will Brown clinching another podium finish, finishing third.

Andre Heimgartner was the top Kiwi in Race 5, coming home in 5th place. Matthew Payne made up six impressive spots in just 12 laps finishing 11th with Jaxon Evans making up four spots to finish 18th.

Stanaway finished 21st after dropping from 7th place due to wheel-to-wheel contact with Brodie Kostecki on Lap 5 resulting in Stanaway’s Chevrolet Camaro suffering suspension damage while Wood finished 22nd after his drive through penalty.

The Kiwis are showing good pace, but luck hasn’t been on some drivers’ sides this weekend. With two races still to go for the 2025 Melbourne SuperSprint and the previous two races having fans on the edge of their seat, anticipation continues to be high going into tomorrow’s back-to-back qualifying sessions for Race 6 and 7.

Qualifying for Race 6 kicks off at 11.05 a.m. NZT, with a Qualifying session for Race 7 starting not long after at 11.25 a.m. NZT. Race 6 is scheduled for later, at 7:40 p.m. NZT.

Honourable Race 5 Mentions –

• Erebus Motorsport Rookie Cooper Murray acheives his first Top-10 finish, finishing the race in 9th.
• Previous Super2 Champion and Grove Racing Rookie Kai Allen finishes in 12th, a solid effort after finishing 20th in yesterday’s race.
• Walkinshaw Andretti driver Chaz Mostert moves up 5 spots, finishing Race 5 inside the Top 10.

Full Race Results: 2025 Repco Supercars Championship – Melbourne Supersprint – Race 5

Header Image: Supercars