Stewart 'couldn’t be prouder' of Wood, Bates
Dunlop Series
20 Oct
Ryan Wood and Zach Bates are in mathematical contention for Super2 title
Wood, Bates both made Super2 debuts with WAU this year
Wood has already secured promotion to main game in 2024
Walkinshaw Andretti United Team Principal Bruce Stewart “couldn’t be prouder” of young guns Ryan Wood and Zach Bates as they ready for the Dunlop Series finale.
WAU has two drivers in mathematical contention to win the Dunlop Super2 Series title with just the VAILO Adelaide 500 remaining.
It’s a big ask, with Wood and Bates 231 and 291 points down on series leader Zak Best with 300 left to win.
Regardless, WAU has been vindicated by its return to the development series, with Wood already secured in a main game seat in 2024 alongside Chaz Mostert.
Stewart, however, didn’t want to look too far ahead, instead putting his focus on Adelaide, where he believes Kiwi young gun Wood will shine.
“First and foremost, we’ve got Adelaide coming up for Woody, so all eyes on that,” Stewart told the Schick Cool Down Lap podcast.
“He’ll put his best foot forward and will clean up some stuff that might have hurt him, like starts.
“But equally, wow — I can’t wait for Adelaide and to see what he can do there, he’s a cracking young talent, ripping young guy."
Bates has been on the improve round by round, culminating in a maiden Dunlop Series podium at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
The second-generation driver is keen to remain with WAU in 2024, and has done his chances no harm with two top three finishes in his last four races.
“How good is Batesy going,” Stewart added.
"He and Woody are such a great team in Super2, they work so well together, they're like yin and yang, Elroy and Jake in the Blues Brothers.
“Batesy did a great job, he’s really strengthened himself on and off track, to come from Toyota 86 and really step up and continually improve.
“The last two rounds particularly, Batesy’s kept improving, kept focusing on being resilient on track and securing the position he’s got.
“Couldn’t be prouder of both our young guys.”
The 2023 Dunlop Series season will conclude at the VAILO Adelaide 500 on November 23-26.
Best leads Eggleston Motorsport driver Kai Allen by 30 points, with Wood, Cooper Murray and Bates 231, 255 and 291 points behind respectively.
