Mark Winterbottom has labelled his first Supercars race victory in seven years one of the best moments of his career after prevailing in a fire-filled opener at the Darwin Triple Crown in which the hopes of a maiden 2023 win for Cam Waters went up in flames.
Winterbottom started third on the grid behind pole-sitter Waters and Broc Feeney at Hidden Valley Raceway, manoeuvring along the inside on turn two into second place as the race began without incident.
When Waters was forced to retire on lap five, Winterbottom took the lead and staved off a spirited challenge from Broc Feeney for an emotional return to the top step.
"When you haven't had it for such a long time, it's a big thing," Winterbottom said.
"It was one of the best moments I've ever had in a race car. It was pretty emotional - I almost punched the windscreen out I was that excited."
With the field set and Winterbottom hot on his tail, Waters' Mustang caught fire down the back straight on the fifth lap.
Flames erupted out of his left front tyre and spread quickly.
Smoke engulfed the cabin and Waters frantically unfastened himself while attempting to stop his car.
Onboard cameras showed Waters running from the vehicle to safety marshals before grabbing a fire extinguisher to help put out the blaze.
"(I'm) p***** off to be honest, but it is what it is," he said.
"I got a good start and the car was feeling really good. I came down the front straight and had a fire in my footwell.
"By the time I got to (turn) one, it was all up. I had to get out as quick as I could."
A second safety car was deployed four laps later as another fire started on the inside of turn one, this time triggered by wheelspin off Declan Fraser's Mustang when he left the track.
Regular racing began again on lap 18 after 30 minutes, with Winterbottom leading from Feeney and Will Davison.
The 42-year-old Winterbottom kept his challengers at bay for career win number 39 but his first since 2016.
It was his fifth success in Darwin, the most recent coming in 2014, and marked the first victory for Team 18 from 333 Supercars appearances.
Championship leader Brodie Kostecki finished fourth after starting 10th while teammate Will Brown gained 12 spots for a seventh-place finish.
Saturday's race marked the highest finish for fifth-placed Darwin local Bryce Fullwood at his home track.
SUPERCARS RACE 13 RESULT:
1. Mark Winterbottom (DEWALT Racing)
2. Broc Feeney (Red Bull Ampol Racing) +0.456
3. Will Davison (Shell V-Power Racing) +3.352
4. Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport) +4.642
5. Bryce Fullwood (Brad Jones Racing) +7.515
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
1. Brodie Kostecki (Erebus Motorsport) 1066 pts
2. Will Brown (Erebus Motorsport) 963 pts
3. Broc Feeney (Red Bull Ampol Racing) 887 pts
4. Shane van Gisbergen (Red Bull Ampol Racing) 882 pts
5. Chaz Mostert (Mobil 1 Optus Racing) 880 pts
