Nick Percat back to winning ways in Melbourne
Nick Percat brought Triple Eight's winning streak to an abrupt halt in a thrilling showdown at Albert Park during the fourth race of the 2024 Supercars Championship. Piloting the Chevrolet Camaro for Matt Stone Racing, Percat clinched an unexpected victory after an intense 14-lap battle, fending off challenges from Will Brown and Broc Feeney, both representing Red Bull Racing.
The pivotal moment of the race occurred on lap 4 when Chaz Mostert, driving for WAU Ford Mustang, attempted to overtake Matt Payne for the lead. Mostert's aggressive move resulted in a collision, sending both cars off the track and allowing Percat to seize the lead. Despite recovering to third place, Mostert was penalized with a five-second penalty for the incident.
Payne's misfortunes continued as he was spun out by Bryce Fullwood at Turn 1, dropping him to 22nd place and ultimately finishing 14th. Meanwhile, Feeney made a late charge, briefly overtaking Percat on lap 8, only to be repelled by the determined leader who held on to claim victory by a mere 0.38 seconds.
Credit: Daily Telegraph
An emotional Percat, whose last triumph dated back to the Covid-disrupted 2020 season, expressed his gratitude to Matt Stone Racing for their unwavering support, marking a significant turnaround from his recent struggles. Brown, securing second place, earned the prestigious Larry Perkins Trophy, named after the esteemed Bathurst 1000 winner, while Feeney settled for third, acknowledging Percat's deserving win.
Despite crossing the line in fourth, Mostert's penalty relegated him to fifth behind Thomas Randle, with Will Davison, Cam Waters, Richie Stanaway, and David Reynolds completing the top positions. With his victory, Percat catapulted to fourth in the championship standings, trailing behind Brown, Feeney, and Mostert.
Reflecting on the race, Brown lamented a missed opportunity to challenge Percat, citing a crucial error that compromised his tires. Meanwhile, Feeney graciously acknowledged Percat's achievement while rueing his own missed opportunity for a higher finish, offering a lighthearted piece of advice to aspiring racers.
As the championship unfolds, the competition intensifies, with Brown leading the points table followed closely by Feeney and Mostert, promising an electrifying season ahead for Supercars enthusiasts.