Why Feeney is thrilled to be back on top

After not beating his teammate for five races, Broc Feeney has his “confidence back” after a dominant drive on the Saturday of the Darwin Triple Crown.

Having finished second best in a titanic battle to teammate Will Brown at Taupo and battled in qualifying in Wanneroo, Feeney was determined to bounce back at Hidden Valley and has done just that.

After qualifying on the front row, the #88 raced hard to muscle past James Golding to hit the lead and never looked back.

Feeney controlled the 48-lap race to win by a commanding 8.6s.

Having fallen 136 points adrift of Brown, the Triple Eight incumbent knew he had to strike at Darwin and having done so convincingly believes he is back to his best.

“I am very happy,” Feeney, who is now only 115 points behind Brown said.

“The last few rounds have not been up to standard so to come back is awesome.

“We just needed to focus on not having the bad days we have had in the last few rounds.

“It is more of a confidence booster that I needed for myself to get the confidence back that I can do it.

Feeney had a fierce fight for the lead with Golding in the early stages.

Off the line the pair ran side by side through the first four corners which created some nervous moments for the Triple Eight youngster.

Feeney eventually made the decisive move on Lap 4 in the valley which was well setup.

Feeney knew qualifying and getting clear air early were the keys to victory.

“Here is one of the most important qualifying sessions of the year because passing is quite hard just because of the temperatures,” he said.

“At the start I knew I had a rocket and thought I just need to get to the lead and was able to do it

“It was pretty close and that (Turns 3-4) was so, so scary and I was at full lock through there.

“I knew I had a limited time range (to pass Golding).

“The plan was to start dropping back if I didn’t get him then but I knew I had really good speed and where I was faster.

“It was close at (turn) one but it would have been a filthy lunge, but I knew I could carry more speed into turn 5 to set it up for 6.

“He blocked the laps before so when he didn’t block I thought ‘I am going for it.’

“I jumped the kerb and knew once I was through I could get some clean air and it was nice.

“Very shortly we’re going to forget about it and focus on doing it all again tomorrow.

“I didn’t do the greatest in the shootout so I think we have the potential in a qualifying car, and obviously our race pace is really good out the front.”

Darwin Triple Crown (ACST)

Friday, June 14

Practice 1: 1: W. Brown 1:06.4153 2: J. Golding +0.0156 3: J. Le Brocq +0.0518

Qualifying: 1: J. Golding 1:05.6912 2: N. Percat +0.0742 3: M. Winterbottom +0.1515

Saturday, June 15

Practice 2: 1: W. Brown 1:06.2120 2: B. Feeney +0.3002 3: C. Waters +0.4181

Top 10 Shootout: 1: J. Golding 1:06.2302 2: B. Feeney 1:06.3091 3: Mark Winterbottom 1:06.3621

Race 11: B. Feeney 2: M. Winterbottom +8.6763 3: W. Brown +10.6426

Sunday, June 16

10.25 Qualifying

11.35 Top 10 Shootout

15.10 Race 12 (48 laps)

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