Supercars, Gold Coast 500: Mostert wins wet Race 1
The newsroomUpdated on October 24, 20263 minGold Coast 500: in the rain, Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Toyota) wins Race 1 of the Supercars Finals ahead of Reynolds and Payne and books his place at Sandown.
Key point
Chaz Mostert dominated Race 1 of the Gold Coast 500 in the rain and became the first driver to secure a place in round two of the Supercars Finals, at Sandown.
Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw TWG Racing, Toyota Supra) won the first race of the Gold Coast 500, the opener of the Supercars championship Finals, on Saturday 24 October 2026 at Surfers Paradise. In the rain, the reigning champion finished more than 23 seconds ahead of David Reynolds and secured his place in the second round of the Finals, at Sandown.
A start behind the Safety Car
The 250 km race, 85 laps, began in heavy rain, behind the Safety Car for three laps. Pole-sitter Broc Feeney (Triple Eight) led away, but lost grip once the Safety Car pulled off. Mostert took the lead on the first green-flag lap and was never troubled again. Feeney pitted on lap 21 for re-pressured wet tyres and dropped back: he finished ninth.
In the closing stages Mostert had to save fuel: the team asked him to back off with two laps to go, and he slowed again on the final lap. Autosport notes it was the first Supercars Finals win on the Gold Coast for his team and for Toyota.
The top 10
- Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw TWG Racing, Toyota Supra)
- David Reynolds (Team 18, Chevrolet Camaro)
- Matt Payne (Grove Racing, Ford Mustang)
- Anton De Pasquale (Team 18)
- Andre Heimgartner (Brad Jones Racing)
- Will Brown (Triple Eight)
- Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing)
- Cameron Waters (Tickford)
- Broc Feeney (Triple Eight)
- Jayden Ojeda (Chevrolet Camaro)
Reynolds made the smartest move: starting 14th, he pitted early, on lap nine, and gained 12 places. Matt Payne, third, had been running second before a five-second penalty dropped him back.
The Finals: Mostert through to Sandown
According to Speedcafe, the reigning champion is the first to secure a place in round two, at Sandown. Six places remain undecided. Payne, third, takes the lead of the Finals standings, though he is not locked in because of his gap to the cut-line.
Three drivers are in the elimination zone: Kai Allen, last after a long pit stop, Ryan Wood, 14th, and Jack Le Brocq, 22nd, who was spun by Cam Hill. Thomas Randle finished 23rd after several problems. On Sunday the "win and you're in" rule applies again: a Race 2 win guarantees a place, whatever the standings.
Key points
- Mostert wins Race 1 of the Gold Coast 500 in the rain, by more than 23 seconds.
- First driver through to Sandown; six places remain open.
- Reynolds second, Payne third, Payne leads the Finals.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Race 1 of the Gold Coast 500?
Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw TWG Racing, Toyota Supra), more than 23 seconds ahead of David Reynolds.
What does Mostert gain from this win?
He is the first driver assured of a place in round two of the Supercars Finals, at Sandown.
Who is in danger of elimination?
Kai Allen, Ryan Wood and Jack Le Brocq are in the elimination zone ahead of Sunday's Race 2.
Sources
- Autosport — Chaz Mostert dominates wet race for Walkinshaw Toyota
- Speedcafe — Saturday Race 1 results
- Speedcafe — Finals Series standings after Race 1
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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