How Kostecki can clinch the Supercars title today

SATURDAY at the VAILO Adelaide 500 presents Brodie Kostecki with his first opportunity to become the Repco Supercars Champion for 2023.

The Erebus Motorsport driver holds a 131-point margin over Shane van Gisbergen, the only other driver still in contention for the title.

If Kostecki can extend his lead to an even 150 points by the end of the opening 250-kilometre race, then he will mathematically clinch the Supercars Championship for the first time in his career.

We’ve put all the Saturday scenarios into a table at the bottom of this story, because it’s not as simple as Kostecki needing to finish ahead to win the title.

The 19 points he needs to gain means he has to finish, at the very least, two places or more ahead of van Gisbergen in Saturday’s race.

Should Kostecki win Saturday’s race, then he can clinch the title if van Gisbergen finishes no better than third.

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The difference between the points awarded for finishing positions decreases through the field, meaning that the further down Kostecki finishes, then the more cars he needs to finish between he and van Gisbergen to win the title.

For instance, if Kostecki were to finish eighth, he’d need three cars between he and van Gisbergen in 12^th to clinch the title.

However, if Kostecki were to finish a few spots lower in 11^th, then he’d need six cars between he and van Gisbergen in 18^th to secure the crown.

Naturally, the best case scenario for Erebus is for Kostecki and Will Brown to finish one-two; that would secure the Drivers’ Championship and ensure a maximum haul of points as it battles Triple Eight for the Teams’ Championship title.

Tiebreaks favour Kostecki… for now
Should the title contenders end up tied on points at the end of the weekend, the championship will be awarded to the driver with the most race wins.

Kostecki currently has six wins to van Gisbergen’s five, meaning the Kiwi could gain this tiebreak advantage if he wins both races.

Winning just one won’t do for SVG, either; if they’re level on wins, the next tiebreak is second placings, which Kostecki comfortably leads eight-to-four.

How Brodie Kostecki can clinch the 2023 Supercars title on Saturday at the Adelaide 500