Kostecki is NASCAR’s next supercar star

Supercars title contender Brodie Kostecki will join the NASCAR Cup Series field in Indianapolis next month.

Kostecki is rumored to make his top-tier NASCAR debut at the Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis road course on August 13.

He will do so in a third entry from Richard Childress Racing (RCR) backed by Peter Adderton’s MobileX company. He will race alongside teammates Austin Dillon and two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch.

RCR is the defending winner at Indianapolis, taking the win in 2022 with then-driver Tyler Reddick.

The deal is part of a sort of alliance between Kostecki’s Erebus team in Australia and RCR, with Kostecki having been part of an Erebus delegation that visited the United States earlier this year .

“I’m thrilled to be making my NASCAR Cup debut at The Brickyard,” Kostecki said.

“It is an honor to compete at such an iconic venue and against some of the biggest names in motorsport.

“I am extremely grateful to the RCR for giving me this opportunity and I am determined to make the most of it.”

Kostecki has racing experience in the NASCAR system, having spent part of his childhood in the United States and two seasons in the K&N Pro Series (now ARCA East) in 2013 and 2014.

In 16 career starts, he won two poles and finished in the top five and four in the top 10. His career-best finish, fifth, came at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway in 2014.

“Racing is at the heart of everything I do, and NASCAR has been a lifelong goal of mine after spending years growing up in the heart of the sport in North Carolina,” he said.

“It’s a completely different world out there and any extra time I can spend racing will only help me try to win my first Supercars championship.

“We had great exposure to the team’s inner sanctum on our recent trip, and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the team, this time as a Cup Series driver.

“I can’t thank MobileX, Erebus, VAILO, Shaw & Partners, Southern Cross Truck Rentals and all of my supporting partners enough for joining me.”

Kostecki is currently battling for a maiden Supercars title, second in the standings, just seven points behind Erebus team-mate Will Brown.

The NASCAR cameo is not seen as a distraction, however, with Erebus boss Barry Ryan welcoming the extra seat time.

“We’ve always encouraged Brodie to look for more racing opportunities,” Ryan said.

“Giving him the chance to explore and excel in various racing disciplines not only enhances his skills, but also contributes to the overall growth and success of our team.”

Another Supercar star Shane van Gisbergen made headlines earlier this month after winning on his debut in NASCAR’s first-ever race on the Chicago Street Course.