What's at stake in Adelaide for star Ford duo

While he can't win the crown in 2024, Cam Waters still harbours hope of overhauling Ford rival Chaz Mostert for third in the championship standings.

Tickford Racing driver Waters has never been higher than fourth this season, having held the position since the middle of the year.

Twice a runner-up, in 2020 and 2022, Waters has slashed 180 points from his deficit to Mostert in the last five races, largely benefiting from the Walkinshaw Andretti United's horror Gold Coast.

Waters was as far as 299 points behind Mostert after the Tasmania opener in August, but is now 119 points down with 300 to win in Adelaide.

Fourth is the worst either driver can finish 2024, but while second is possible, four-time 2024 winner Waters believes he can get by three-time 2024 winner Mostert, at least.

"We're pretty well not racing for a championship obviously now, I think we could get to third if Chaz had a few more dramas," said Waters, who is already thinking about 2025.

"We want to win races and get poles for sure, but it's also about learning for next year and making sure we're good for next year at all different tracks.

"Even today in that race, we tried things with the car to try and learn for next year. Eyes are forward."

In eight seasons as full-time rivals, Mostert has beaten Waters in the year-end standings six times. Mostert finished third in 2021 and 2022, but unlike Waters, has never finished a season higher.

The WAU star, who won the 2022 Saturday race in Adelaide, is 129 points behind second-placed Broc Feeney, who needs to find 181 points on Will Brown to win the championship.

Tickford, meanwhile, looks set to end the year as top Ford team, leading WAU by 337 points with 576 to win in Adelaide.

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will be decided at the season-ending VAILO Adelaide 500 on November 14-17. Tickets are on sale now.

2024 points progression: Chaz Mostert and Cam Waters