Kiwis may have missed the podium on Sunday, but the Taupō 400 has provided lifetime memories for the Kiwi drivers on the Australian Supercars circuit.
The two-day event marked a return to New Zealand, after the champion bypassed a trans-Tasman trek last year, and for a new wave of local heroes, following in the footsteps of Scott McLaughlin and Shane van Gisbergen, that local support meant everything.
"It's been amazing for NZ motorsport and amazing to show off a different part of New Zealand, which I love and everyone loves, so it's been great," Andre Heimgartner told Newshub.
Heimgartner emerged as the best Kiwi on the weekend, winning in Saturday's rainstorm and narrowly missing out on the treasured Jason Richards Trophy, named after a late NZ motorsport legend.
Another Kiwi driver was Jaxon Evans, who has travelled around the world during his career.
"It was very special, to be honest," he told Newshub. "To come back here... it's been a while since I've been to New Zealand, but even longer since I've raced here.
"To have that Kiwi support, friends and family that I haven't seen for a while trackside has been really special. It was probably my best weekend so far in Supercars."
Watch the video for full interview.
