Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood have claimed a dramatic victory in the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000, snatching the win for Dick Johnson Racing after Anton De Pasquale’s Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro ran out of fuel on the final lap.
The Great Race delivered a stunning finish at Mount Panorama on Sunday, with Kostecki and Hazelwood emerging victorious after 161 laps of high pressure racing, pit lane drama and a late twist that changed the outcome in the closing moments.
Last lap heartbreak hands DJR victory
Team 18 looked set to celebrate a memorable Bathurst triumph with Anton De Pasquale behind the wheel of the No. 18 Chevrolet Camaro. However, disaster struck when the car ran out of fuel on Mountain Straight during the final lap.
The sudden loss of power handed Kostecki the opportunity he needed, allowing the Dick Johnson Racing driver to sweep past and secure the victory in the No. 17 Ford Mustang GT.
It was a brutal end to De Pasquale’s challenge after putting himself in contention for one of the biggest wins in Australian motorsport.
For Kostecki and Hazelwood, it was a reward for a determined performance across one of the most demanding endurance races on the Supercars calendar.
Kostecki and Hazelwood deliver for Dick Johnson Racing
Kostecki and Hazelwood started from the front row after qualifying second behind rookie Zach Bates and Aaron Seton.
The pair remained firmly in contention throughout the race, with Hazelwood producing a strong middle stint to keep the No. 17 Mustang near the front.
Their race was not without challenges. A slow pit stop involving a brake change threatened to derail their hopes, allowing several rivals to move ahead and forcing the team to fight back through the field.
Despite the setback, the DJR combination remained in the hunt. When the opportunity arrived on the final lap, Kostecki capitalised to secure a memorable victory for the iconic Ford squad.
Zach Bates shines on the biggest stage
Rookie Zach Bates and co driver Aaron Seton enjoyed an impressive Bathurst campaign, converting their stunning qualifying form into a third-place finish for Matt Stone Racing.
Bates had captured pole position in Saturday’s Top 10 Shootout, defeating Kostecki by just 0.285 seconds and setting up an exciting contest for Sunday’s race.
The young driver continued to impress over the 1,000 kilometres, keeping the No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro in contention against some of the championship’s most experienced combinations.
Bates and Seton ultimately crossed the line third, completing a strong result after an outstanding weekend at Mount Panorama.
Will Brown and Scott Pye finish second
Will Brown and Scott Pye secured second place for Triple Eight Race Engineering, finishing just 1.1844 seconds behind the winning Mustang.
The No. 888 Ford Mustang remained in the fight throughout the closing stages, with the team benefiting from its consistency across the race.
Although the victory was within reach, the Triple Eight pairing had to settle for the runner up position after Kostecki’s late charge.
Jack Le Brocq and Harri Jones also enjoyed a strong day, finishing fourth for Matt Stone Racing, while defending race winner Matt Payne and co driver Will Davison rounded out the top five.
A Bathurst 1000 to remember
The 2026 edition of the Great Race provided everything fans have come to expect from Mount Panorama: strategic battles, demanding pit stops, mechanical concerns and a finish that was not decided until the final lap.
For Dick Johnson Racing, the victory marks a major result in the team’s pursuit of Bathurst success. For Kostecki and Hazelwood, it is a triumph they will remember for years to come.
But the biggest talking point will undoubtedly be De Pasquale’s heartbreaking fuel issue, which transformed a potential Team 18 victory into a memorable win for DJR.
At Bathurst, the race is never over until the chequered flag falls.
Final result: Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood — winners of the 2026 Repco Bathurst 1000.
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