Broc Feeney secures Triple Eight seat as Whincup replacement

Triple Eight has confirmed that current Super2 Series points leader Broc Feeney will graduate to the Supercars grid for 2022 after securing the seat that will be vacated by Jamie Whincup.

Seven-time champion Whincup will stand down from his full-time role at the end the season, with teenage racer Feeney – who will compete for the team in a wildcard entry at Bathurst alongside Russell Ingall – being given the chance to take one of the most coveted seats on the grid as the series heads towards the Gen3 era.

Feeney will line up current points leader Shane van Gisbergen having inked a multi-year deal.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for me to be replacing ‘The GOAT’, Jamie Whincup,” he said. “It’s so surreal for me at the moment, but I think it will start to kick in at the start of next year.

“To be aligned with this amazing team in my Super2 season and to be promoted into the main series is a dream come true. To be honest, I always wanted to get to Supercars, but to be behind the wheel of a Red Bull Ampol Racing machine is pretty exciting.

“The Super2 season has been a very important year for me. I knew at the start of the year that there was an opportunity to replace Jamie, and it all depended on how my results went this year. To get four out of six wins this season and winning two out of three rounds has been a great opportunity for me, and this now feels like a big reward.”

Feeney added that even with the success he has enjoyed on track this season, he felt in shock when given the call to tell him the news.

“When Roland [Dane] told me the news I was in shock,” he said. “He explained everything to me and basically asked how it sounded – I said it sounded bloody awesome! I got out of that meeting and rang my parents straight away. It was such a big relief as we’ve all put in so much effort the last few years, and it’s a day I’ll never forget.

“It’s such a good place for me to be, considering I’m a rookie coming into the Supercars series. To have the drivers that I’m surrounded by and the knowledge they have is a great opportunity. For the short eight months I’ve been with the team, I’ve learnt so much and I cannot wait to learn more in the next few years.

“My focus at the moment is winning the Super2 championship, and then we’ll set some goals for next year. It is hard to have expectations at the moment going into next season, but I just want to have a consistent year and learn as much as I can. Everyone says the rookie year is the toughest, but I’m looking forward to having a good and consistent year.”

Whincup, who will take up the of managing director within the team when he stands down from competition, said he was delighted to give the youngster the chance to take his place.

“It’s obviously big news for Triple Eight that we’ll be bringing on a new recruit which is certainly exciting,” he said. “It’s a feel-good factor as well for myself and the shareholders to give a young kid an opportunity in one of the best seats in the category and to go out there and prove themselves.

“I’m excited, and certainly everyone within the team is excited, and our fan base should be excited as well. Of course, there’s five more rounds for me to go, but I’m looking forward to giving Broc the keys to whatever number he decides to run next year.

“I think some people will look at this decision and think we would have gone in an ‘established driver’ direction, but we’re not a team that takes things conservatively. We take risks at Triple Eight, we’re on the front foot and we have a crack and lead with our gutfeel, and it seemed right to give Broc the opportunity.

“Of course, there’s an element of skill, but more importantly than that, certainly for me, is you need someone with good morals and a good attitude who knows the definition of hard work. Broc ticks all of those boxes, but now it’s up to us to make sure we give him a fantastic car and build a fantastic team around him.”