Five storylines to watch at the Perth SuperSprint

We're three rounds into the season, and we have already seen plenty of drama.

'Drama' is usually the flavour of Supercars events in the West, with Perth set to host its 96th and 97th races since it first debuted in the championship in 1973.

Already, nine different drivers have scored a trophy in 2024, with four drivers racing to victory lane. In eight races, just once has a drive converted from pole to victory.

In Perth, 67 of 95 races have been won from the front row, so getting it right in qualifying will count for plenty, especially as the knockout format returns.

Supercars.com picks out five storylines to follow through the Bosch Perth Power Tools SuperSprint. Track action commences on Friday. International viewers can follow all the action on Superview.

What will happen in the next battle of the Bulls?

The growing battle between Will Brown and Broc Feeney hit new heights in New Zealand, but Brown emerging victorious after a tense battle. Both drivers won in Perth last year, so they know how to get the job done in the West. Fresh off the announcement he will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut next month, Brown has a 71-point lead, and will be keen to assert himself in the chase for the crown. Feeney won't want to give up any more ground, so the next time they go to battle, can the Triple Eight teammates keep it clean?

The time is now for WAU

Chaz Mostert's loose wheel drama in New Zealand was costly, and the Walkinshaw Andretti United star is now 196 points behind Brown. How costly? Heading to New Zealand, Mostert was only 97 points behind. WAU doesn't have a great record in recent years in Perth, and Mostert last won there in 2014. After testing last week, WAU will be hoping to convert to results in Perth, otherwise the title could get too far out of reach.

Can DJR keep it going?

After a slow start to 2024, the Shell V-Power Racing Team burst into life in New Zealand, with a double podium and round win to boot. The team has struggled for consistency in the Gen3 era, but Taupō was a reminder of when they get it right, they're a formidable force. So, can they back it up in Perth, or was Taupō a flash in the pan?

Tight margins

While Brown and Feeney have streaked away early, there's plenty to play for behind them. Remarkably, drivers from fourth to 15th are covered by just 99 points. In 15th is Cam Waters, who has two poles after three rounds, but is chasing his first trophy of the year. Fresh off his own announcement to race in next month's NASCAR race at Sonoma, can Waters go big and get his season back on track?

Pressure off, pressure on

Making news in the lead-up to the event was confirmation that the minimum tyre pressure has dropped, from 17psi to 15psi. The goal is to get drivers to race harder for longer. The Perth surface notoriously leads to high degradation, and given this year's races are longer than the 2023 sprints, we could be in for plenty of drama, and a surprise or two...