Over in Australia, there is a lot of fuss about Brodie Kostecki, the defending Supercars champion, splitting from his team. Erebus Motorsport has already replaced Kostecki with Todd Hazelwood for the Bathurst 500. What does this mean for the driver in NASCAR?
Brodie Kostecki had plans to come over to the United States and race in NASCAR a few times in 2024. He drove for Richard Childress Racing at the Indy Road Course race last season. Kostecki also has ARCA experience.
Erebus Motorsport was set to send a team to the United States to work hand-in-hand with Richard Childress Racing. So, now what? Well, Kostecki will reportedly not race in the season opener for Supercars, and he might not race at all this season in Australia.
Rumors have ranged anywhere from contract disputes to a potential NASCAR move. However, in recent days, Erebus, Supercars, and Kostecki’s sponsor MobileX potentially pushing for a move to the States.
This could definitely hamper efforts to get Kostecki in NASCAR and at RCR. Especially if RCR was depending on that extra support to make a third car viable, even part-time.
In a recent SpeedCafe story, Peter Adderton, founder and Executive of Boost Mobile Australia, denied his group had anything to do with the fallout.
“This is nothing more than a rumor made up by some self-interested group trying to deflect from the real issues,” Adderton wrote in a social media statement.
When it comes to Brodie Kostecki’s former Supercars rival, Shane van Gisbergen, he can relate to his fellow Supercars champion.
Back in 2013, due to contract issues and fallout with his team then, Shane van Gisbergen made a short retirement from the sport of Supercars. He would then emerge with a new team and eventually become the three-time champion he is today.
Amid the Brodie Kostecki news, SVG offered words of encouragement. Drivers can’t always speak their minds, even during times like this.
“What a sad situation to read about in Australia right now with [Brodie Kostecki],” SVG wrote on X/Twitter. “I went through a similar situation 10 or so years ago – Not being able to say much, plus the team and media setting the narrative out of your control is not fun.
“Full support here and hope that it works out the correct way, with Brodie enjoying driving race cars in 2024.”
What a sad situation to read about in Australia right now with @BrodieKostecki. I went through a similar situation 10 or so years ago – Not being able to say much, plus the team and media setting the narrative out of your control is not fun 1/2 pic.twitter.com/rb2MyHfDle
— Shane van Gisbergen (@shanevg97) January 31, 2024
Right now, a return to Erebus Motorsport in 2024 is not out of the question. However, right now it looks like the defending champion will sit out more than just the first race of the year.
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