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Supercars LIVE on SN ExtraKostecki hangs on for another Supercars win
Oliver Caffrey, AAP • April 18th, 2026 2:15 pm
Brodie Kostecki after winning Race 11 of the Supercars Championship | Photo: EDGE Photographics
Championship leader Brodie Kostecki has fended off a fierce challenge from young gun Kai Allen for his fifth win of the Supercars season.
Allen, who broke through for his maiden Supercars win on Friday in the first race of the Christchurch round, was on Kostecki's tail for the majority of Saturday's 37-lap sprint.
But the 2023 champion used his experience to hang tough amid a strong push from his fellow Ford rival.
There was barely a second between the pair for the entire race, with both drivers pitting at the same time.
Brodie Kostecki and Kai Allen jockey for position at Ruapuna Raceway | Photo: EDGE Photographics
It was a role reversal from Friday when Kostecki trailed Allen and was unable to find a way ahead.
"Got a ripper start again," Kostecki said.
"We've been dialled in on that this weekend.
"We changed a lot on the car and we've got the same sort of pace, it feels like, to the guys next to us, but stoked to get the win.
"We had a little pit stop fumble, but was able to just use the clean air to my advantage.
"Towards the end, Kai did everything he could, he was up in my bumper.
"Once his front tyres got hot, it was game over."
Brodie Kostecki wins Race 11 at Ruapuna | Supercars on Sport Nation
Emerging New Zealander Wood, who won in Taupo last weekend, drove superbly to finish third.
Pole-sitter Matt Payne gave up his advantage at the start after being overtaken by Kostecki and Allen.
Payne was the last driver to pit as he attempted to reclaim the lead.
But the Kiwi favourite's gamble backfired, rushing the pit stop, before losing a tyre shortly after returning to the track.
In a crucial blow, Payne slumped to finish 19th.
Wood will start on pole for Saturday's second sprint, before the 67-lap race on Sunday concludes the historic first round in Christchurch.
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the Supercars' Christchurch Super 440 with Race 12 on the app via Sport Nation Extra from 4pm Saturday.
2026 Christchurch Super 440
Saturday: Race 11 qualifying - 10:05am, Race 12 qualifying - 11:00am, Race 11 - 12:45pm, Race 12 - 4:10pm.
Sunday: Race 13 qualifying - 11:50am, Top Ten Shoot Out - 12:45pm, Race 13 - 3:05pm.
