Kiwi young gun Ryan Wood sheds tears after claiming maiden Supercars race win
Young Kiwi ace Ryan Wood has claimed an emotional first Supercars victory, taking the chequered flag in the first race of the weekend at Perth's Barbagallo Raceway.
In his second full-time season, the 21-year-old from Wellington started on the front row but was beaten to the first corner by pole-sitting teammate Chaz Mostert.
Wood had the pace on Mostert, and made the crucial move for the lead into the final corner on lap 10. The two Walksinshaw Andretti United teammates ran side by side through the final corner and down the front straight before Wood finally got the job done into the first corner.
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But the job wasn't done yet. The team then executed a slick pitstop to get him back out just in front of championship leader Broc Feeney, and then managed to keep him behind until his tyres came up to temperature.
Ryan Wood took his maiden Supercars victory in Perth. FOX Sports
Then in the closing laps, he was hounded by Feeney's teammate, defending champion Will Brown, but he again managed to keep a level head to keep the Red Bull ace behind and clinch a stunning maiden win.
"A monstrous moment ... take a bow, young man," veteran commentator Neil Crompton said.
In-car cameras captured tears welling up in Wood's eyes.
"Absolutely superb. What a remarkable moment," five-time champion Mark Skaife added.
"(The team) put so much faith in this young man and it's all come to fruition."
Wood said winning a Supercars race was the realisation of a lifelong dream.
Wood on his way to a maiden victory in Perth. Getty
"It's pretty emotional to be honest ... my parents have sacrificed a lot to get me here," he said.
"To achieve my lifelong dream just doesn't feel real ... I just can't believe it."
His parents were watching the race from home in Wellington, and Wood was briefly able to talk to them after the race. He dedicated the win to a family friend.
"I just want to thank you guys, my whole family, my nan and pop, and this goes out to one of our close friends Brian who's battling some stuff at the moment, this is for you mate."
Wood speaks to his parents on Facetime after taking a maiden Supercars race win in Perth. FOX Sports
After a challenging rookie season in 2024, Wood began working with former Supercars gun and fellow Kiwi Greg Murphy in the off-season. He lost a significant amount of weight and arrived at the season-opener in Sydney a different driver. He's consistently been a top-10 finisher and has started to regularly challenge Mostert to be team leader.
Murphy was watching on from the Walkinshaw garage as Wood took the win.
"It's pretty amazing to have Murph here - the things he does for me behind the scenes, I cant speak highly enough," Wood said.
"I know everyone thinks he's a hard bastard, (and) he is, (but) that's what's kept me committed and focused and got me here."
Wood earlier in the day also claimed a maiden pole position for the second race of the day later on Saturday afternoon.
