Hughes and Herne Share the Spoils While It’s Tears For Hodson

Nathan Herne and Jarrod Hughes have both seen victory lane at day two of the Novus Glass TA2 Kings of the West event at Carcoraceway.com.au with both Supercars aspirants thrilling the crowd with some of the best TA2 racing seen in 2025. 

Hughes took the victory in race two as Herne elected to take two new rear tyres after his tyres from Friday were suspected of having a slow leak. The decision meant Herne would start from the rear of the grid in the Blue Gold Industries Dodge Challenger but in a masterful display, driving through the field to finish second only one second behind Hughes. 

Both Hughes and Herne started race three side by side but it was Herne who once again took the lead into turn one with Hughes and Hodson in close company but it was clear the Mustang had pace with Hughes passing the Dodge in 3 laps. 

As always with TA2 Racing, the pressure was immense and with only a few laps remaining and Hughes looking like he was on his way to the flag, the 2025 Erebus Supercars Co Driver slightly locked a brake into turn 7 and Herne pounced, taking the lead and the eventual victory with the crowd favourite Dodge Challenger 

Sadly for Hodson, the engine in his Mustang expired while he was in third position ruling him out of the race and the rest of the weekend.

The action wasn’t reserved to the front runners with Domain Ramsay and WA up and comer Jackson Callo banging doors over the hill sending the #222 Camaro to the infield, while Ron Moller spun his Mustang also at turn 7 after a failed passing attempt on Allan Letcher.

Local drivers Clinton Rayner, Brett Niall and Jason Pryde continue to fly the flag for the West with  Rayner now third in the outright standings with Hodson’s retirement and Niall sits in fourth just 11 points behind. 

QUOTES

#29 Nathan Herne Blue Gold, Industries Dodge Challenger 

“Today was a solid turn around after we struggled yesterday with slowly deflating rear tyres but I feel we’re making some good progress with the Dodge, with just a few one percenter’s to find and I think we’ll have a solid racecar to fight with tomorrow.” 

#118 Jarrod Hughes, AC Delco Mustang

“ That was some of the best racing I’ve been involved with TA2 and racing so close with the talent level of Nathan and Ayrton has been brilliant over here and I reckon tomorrow is going to be a barn burner because both Nathan and I both really want the title of King of The West.” 

#76 Clinton Rayner Racing, Chev Camaro 

“I can’t believe we’re in this position and while I feel sorry for Ayrton and his engine failure to be third outright and also leading the Masters points is not something we expected, but Brett Niall is really fast around Carcoracway but I’m determined to be the first WA competitor home.” 

POINTS
1. Jarrod Hughes - 173
2. Nathan Herne - 166
3. Clinton Rayner - 123
4. Brett Niall - 112
5. Ayrton Hodson - 94
6. Graham Cheney - 86
7. Jason Pryde - 61
8. Jackson Callo -61
9. Domain Ramsay - 60
10. Allan Letcher - 52
11. Mark Crutcher - 37
12. Ron Moller - 37
13. Robbie Farr - 23