Chaz Mostert Shines in Supercars, but Championship Glory Remains Elusive According to Garth Tander
Chaz Mostert is having a stellar season in the Supercars championship, currently sitting second in the drivers’ standings after seven rounds and 16 races. With three wins under his belt and a narrow 105-point deficit to leader Will Brown of Red Bull Ampol Racing, this is the best position Mostert has ever been in at this stage of the season. His recent performance has been particularly impressive, with back-to-back victories at Sydney Motorsport Park—something he last achieved nine years ago.
Mostert’s victories at Sydney Motorsport Park mark a significant milestone, as he became the first driver in over two decades to sweep both races at the venue since Marcos Ambrose in 2003. His success has propelled him past Broc Feeney into second place in the standings, raising hopes among his fans and team, Walkinshaw Andretti United, for a potential championship win.
However, 2007 Supercars champion Garth Tander remains skeptical about Mostert’s chances of clinching the title this year. Speaking on Fox Sports’ coverage after the Sydney SuperNight, Tander expressed doubts, saying, “Not yet.” He elaborated, “I’m not saying that they won’t in the future, but not this year. Tassie will be a real teller for us, whether they have made gains on the super soft tyre.”
Tander’s skepticism is rooted in the consistent performance of Red Bull Ampol Racing. Will Brown has been exceptionally consistent this season, finishing on the podium in 13 of the 16 races. Despite a setback at the Townsville 500, where he finished 24th due to an early race collision, Brown’s overall performance has been formidable. Meanwhile, Broc Feeney, Brown’s teammate, has secured five race wins, though he has struggled to maintain podium finishes in half of the races.
Tander believes Triple Eight Race Engineering, the team behind Red Bull Ampol Racing, has the experience and resilience needed to secure the championship. “Triple Eight have done this year in, year out for the last 15 years. They are so championship-hardened, they know how to get the job done,” he said. He also noted that both Brown and Feeney have learned from watching their successful predecessors, which gives them an edge.
In contrast to Tander’s cautious outlook, commentator Mark Skaife is more optimistic about Mostert’s prospects. “I think the way they’re performing now, and the way that they look like they’ve made the car work,” Skaife said. “Their engineering base seems like it’s more stable, their teamwork’s good. I reckon they’re real contenders.”
The next round at Symmons Plains Raceway for the Tasmania SuperSprint on August 16-18 will be crucial in determining whether Mostert and his team can maintain their momentum and challenge for the championship. With the season progressing, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Mostert can overcome the formidable competition from Red Bull Ampol Racing and make history with a title win.
