Most open field ever? 2026 Supercars enduro pairings ranked

All roads now lead to Bathurst, with Supercars enduro season set to kick off at the AirTouch 500 at The Bend from September 11-13.

A host of highly-credentialed drivers join the 24 full-timers, plus the addition of three wildcard entries, adding plenty of intrigue into what has already been one of the most hotly contested championships in recent memory.

Focus now turns to who will emerge as the leading contenders in the 2026 Ryco Enduro Cup; who are the contenders, and who are the dark horses that could quietly create something special in the season of endurance?

Contenders

Of the 27 combinations that will feature over the course of the next two events, there are nine combinations that shape as real contenders.

The nine contenders we project are also the top nine from the Repco Sprint Cup, with both entries from Penrite Racing, Red Bull Ampol Racing, and Walkinshaw TWG Racing, as well as the leading Tickford, Dick Johnson Racing, and Team 18 entries.

Only four of the combinations remain the same year on year — however those that have changed have either secured equal or stronger replacements, chief among these being Nick Percat's acquisition to replace Jamie Whincup, who has elected to focus on his off-track responsibilities.

Dark horses

We've also picked out six entries that can trigger a major Enduro Cup boilover, three of the entries listed having finished second, third, and fourth at Bathurst last year.

David Reynolds, David Russell, and Cooper Murray are all joined by new drivers for the 2026 enduro campaign, but all could easily factor into enduro calculations should they pick up where they left off last year.

The reunion of former teammates James Golding and Richie Stanaway at Blanchard Racing Team also has serious potential, especially if the team arrive at Bathurst with their early season speed.

Andre Heimgartner and Bryce Fullwood also shape as a very strong combination, rekindling their four-year relationship as teammates, while Thomas Randle has come into strong form in recent rounds, and is paired with rookie Reuben Goodall, fresh off his first ever win in a race car in the Perth Super2 finale.

Outsiders

This is not to say that they can't spring a surprise over the course of the enduros, after all Jobe Stewart was the breakout star of the 2025 Ryco Enduro Cup.

The combination of Aaron Cameron/Zak Best was also a strong contender at Bathurst last year, a breakout performance for both Cameron and the team.

Jack Le Brocq, meanwhile, has been a top 10 threat all year long, though preparations for replacement co-driver Harri Jones hit a snag when the #4 Camaro suffered a brake failure at the enduro test day.

There will also be three wildcard entries, all of whom have rising stars ready to make their mark in their first enduro campaigns. Bayley Hall is the latest young gun to be teamed with Craig Lowndes, though the Supercheap Auto wildcard enters a new era with Team 18.

Trans Am star Nathan Herne finally gets his Bathurst 1000 shot at familiar surroundings in Garry Rogers Motorsport, while Tickford Super2 young guns Ben Gomersall and Campbell Logan combine at The Bend.

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of Supercars, teams or drivers.