“WORDS can’t describe how I’m feeling.”
A decade after he first dipped his toes into the NASCAR pipeline as a teenager, Brodie Kostecki has the chance to make his mark in the Cup Series.
The Supercars star’s NASCAR cameo will come with Richard Childress Racing, on August 13 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Kostecki took the time to discuss the opportunity in detail with V8 Sleuth last night.
Dream becomes reality
Kostecki fell in love with NASCAR as a kid and was such a dedicated fan that “it was almost like it was all that was on the TV.”
And of course, he spent a chunk of his childhood in the States – in fact, he accumulated multiple poles in the K&N Pro Series East where his competition included Daniel Suarez, who is nowadays a top-tier regular for Trackhouse Racing.
“I have known that this was happening for a while now and it sort of didn’t really sink in until it’s all being announced,” Kostecki told V8 Sleuth.
“It’s a pretty surreal feeling being able to race in the Cup Series and obviously for Richard Childress to give me that opportunity as well as a few people back here in Australia like Nathan Cayzer and Terry Wyhoon who put me in contact with RCR.
“I feel really fortunate and lucky to be able to race at Indy.
“It has been a dream of mine to race in NASCAR since I have been a young fella and this is going to tick that box, so it is going to be a really cool moment for myself.”
Racing for a powerhouse
Just like Shane van Gisbergen was able to do with Trackhouse Racing in Chicago, Kostecki will be vaulted straight into a competitive team, RCR having already won three races this season courtesy of Kyle Busch.
“I never would have thought that in my immediate future I would get a Cup start, and that said a Cup start with RCR, one of the best teams in NASCAR,” said Kostecki.
“They have obviously had a massive history in the sport and have won a lot of races and championships so I consider myself really lucky and I’m just grateful for those people around me that have helped me get to this spot.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I got to spend a little bit of time with them when I was over in America last and I got to meet some of the crew and whatnot.
“They’re a cool bunch of guys and girls so really looking forward to it.”
The van Gisbergen effect
While van Gisbergen’s victory on debut might have opened doors for Supercars drivers to go abroad, has it heaped pressure on Kostecki as the next to do so?
“I have just got to go out there and do what I do,” he said.
“I love driving race cars and I am a very competitive person but I am also realistic as well – the last time he was out racing against those guys it was a track that was right in his wheelhouse and probably not a single Cup driver got a chance to race on a street course before that weekend.
“We’re going to a track that a lot of them have raced before. There’s a lot of guys that know how to get the job done; they’re very talented and they race pretty much every single week so they have got all of the experience.
“I have just got to go over there and do the best job that I can and do as much preparation as I can on simulators and whatnot and just try to enjoy the moment and hopefully tick some boxes over the weekend.”
Preparations
Unlike van Gisbergen, Kostecki is unlikely to be allowed a pre-event test.
“Not at this stage,” he conceded.
“It looks like we’re not going to be able to test which is a bit unfortunate so my first lap in the car will be probably at practice, or maybe I might be able to get some pitstop practice as well.
“That would be cool, just to try to get my head around that before we hit the track at the race.”
The NASCAR/Supercars balancing act
Kostecki’s golden ticket with RCR comes as he’s in the thick of the Supercars title race – he’s just seven points off the lead.
Is there a danger of the American dream distracting him from his campaign to be crowned Supercars champion?
“I’m pretty comfortable with how everything is going around me,” he replied.
“Obviously I raced a sprintcar at the start of the year and I think the more opportunities that you have to drive a race car, you just have to say yes.
“The best way to gain experience is by racing so it was pretty hard to say no.
“Obviously my top priority and focus is on the Supercars championship and that’s what I love doing, so I truly believe that this won’t take any focus off of that.”
Future ambitions
It appears merely a matter of time before van Gisbergen makes a full-time switch to NASCAR.
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Kostecki admits that is a possibility down the track for him too, pending how his Indianapolis experience goes.
“The sport has changed a whole lot since I was last over there but it was a dream of mine to race in NASCAR but who knows, I might do one race and might not like it or I might love it, I’m not too sure,” said the Erebus Motorsport ace, who is under contract through 2024.
“I’m not really one to set my sights on things in the future, I sort of just live day by day really. I’ll just take it as it comes and see if I enjoy it.”
Then versus now
Just how big a difference is there between the modern-day NASCAR and the cars which Kostecki raced in 2013-14?
“Last time I was over there they were still on the old body style when I raced in the K&N Pro Series which is now the ARCA series and the cars are completely different now,” he said.
“They were old sort of blueprint style whereas these cars are independent rear suspension, quite similar to a Supercar but obviously they sit on the other side.
“They’re a lot heavier, have a lot more power and have got a rear diffuser. They’re similar in a few ways but they’re far different from each other when you put them side-by-side with how you have got to drive them.
“We’ll just have to try to adapt as fast as possible and just be a sponge and try to absorb as much as I can off Kyle (Busch) and Austin (Dillon, teammates) and try to learn as much as I can in a short period.”
Adderton
Peter Adderton is a divisive figure but one which has opened many a door for Kostecki, including backing his Supercars Championship debut in 2019 and now his first crack at NASCAR’s top level.
“He’s a man that gives young fellas opportunities,” said Kostecki, 25.
“I’m not quite a young fella anymore but I had reached out to him and said that I’m looking to do something and straight away he said he was going to jump behind me and back me to do it.
“He’s a man of his word and has been a part of my career now for a long time, so I’m very thankful for that.”
