For the second consecutive event, a leading team found itself in an awkward team orders scenario involving a late-race switch.
After Triple Eight was caught out by a Safety Car finish in Darwin, Tickford Racing was left to apologise for serving Thomas Randle a “shit sandwich”.
Randle was told to allow teammate Cam Waters through in the closing stages of the Saturday race, freeing Waters to chase down Brodie Kostecki for a podium.
Waters was unable to nab Kostecki but was not subsequently asked to redress with Randle, which Tickford explained was due to the close proximity of Will Brown behind.
Read the transcript of the radio transmissions released by Supercars.
Cam Waters: He’s holding me up.
Take the short survey.
#6 engineer Sam Potter: I know mate, but you’re just gonna have to race.
#55 engineer Chris Stuckey: Cam behind has four lap fresher tyres, eight lap fresher than Brodie, we don’t need to be holding him up.
Randle: Do you want me to let him through or what do you want to do mate?
Stuckey: Let him go, Turn 2. Let him go, Turn 2.
Randle: I’ve got like half a second on him.
The overtake occurred with five laps remaining and, with Waters still fourth just prior to the finish, Randle picked up the conversation.
Randle: Are we gonna stay like this?
Stuckey: I don’t know if we can swap it back mate, Brown is right up your arse.
Randle: OK, I’ll leave it with you.
Stuckey: I know it’s a shit sandwich mate, apologies, but it’s too risky.
Other notable radio moments from Townsville included two meltdowns from Walkinshaw TWG Racing’s Ryan Wood.
The first occurred after contact with Kai Allen in the Saturday race and the second when chasing teammate Chaz Mostert on Sunday.
Listen to all the radio highlights from Townsville below.
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