Every Supercars team's biggest challenge in 2026

'New' is a word that has been thrown around quite a bit this summer as the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship draws closer.

The changes throughout the field will take time to get used to once we actually see them on track in just under a month at the Sydney 500.

There's a myriad of new combinations, new drivers, new engineers, new personnel at several teams, new numbers, a whole new car, and we're about to see a bunch of new liveries for the season ahead.

But, with all of these changes will also come new challenges for teams, whilst some will also be dealing with challenges that have plagued them for several seasons.

As final preparations begin for the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship, Supercars.com look at the biggest challenges each team will face this season.

Red Bull Ampol Racing

Triple Eight are back in the Ford fold, and are taking on homologation duties. They will be eager to minimise any bedding-in period with the Mustang package. History proves this likely shouldn't happen performance-wise, but in 2010 there were several mechanical gremlins that cost Jamie Whincup the championship. In a field that is so remarkably competitive, even the slightest dip in form will be capitalised upon by the other frontrunners.

Penrite Racing

After a breakout 2025 season, there's uncertainty surrounding Penrite Racing's driver lineup moving forward. GM are thought to have made a big play for defending Bathurst winner Matt Payne, as they continue their search for a big name driver. However, regardless of Payne's decision, this year marks a huge opportunity to claim championships given the changes at the top of the pecking order, but they must not get distracted.

Walkinshaw TWG Racing

It's going to be a big year for Walkinshaw TWG Racing and Toyota. The Finals format arguably plays right into developing a package through the season, with performance at the end of the season being crucial, as evidenced last year. If any new car teething issues can be ironed out by the midway point of the Repco Sprint Cup, it could set both Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood up for another big swing come Finals time.

Tickford Racing

After such a strong start to last season, for whatever reason it just didn't click for Tickford in the back end of the season. In 2024, Tickford had both Cam Waters and Thomas Randle finish the season inside the top five in points, so they have the ability to be right in the hunt. Now they need to find that kind of form week in and week out. A first career win for Thomas Randle would also be a significant boost for the #55 side of the garage.

Team 18

For a team with just one Supercars victory in 10 seasons of competition, Chevrolet and GM have thrown a massive vote of confidence behind Team 18. Now the homologation team for the bow tie, it'll be expected that wins will come, especially when they are stepping up in place of the Triple Eight legacy. There were signs of promise last year, even if there were no wins, but now that promise needs to be converted into becoming a force.

Shell V-Power Racing Team

With Triple Eight Race Engineering now taking helm of Ford's homologation program, it frees up the Shell V-Power Racing Team to focus solely on doing exactly that, racing. For someone as talismanic as Brodie Kostecki, you can imagine that would suit him down to a tee, but theory in practice are two very different things. If they can remove the bad weekends between the race-winning highlights, they'll be close to their best at the very least.

Brad Jones Racing

It's rinse and repeat for BJR as they enter their Toyota chapter., For whatever reason weren't able to find consistent one lap speed in their last year with GM. There were several Top Ten Shootout appearances through the season, but there were also far too many Q1 eliminations. The arrival of Cameron Hill will be a boost given his strong qualifying performances last year, and could also push Andre Heimgartner and Macauley Jones forward.

Matt Stone Racing

Matt Stone Racing have become plucky race winning underdogs in each of the last three seasons. Now, it's all change on the driver front, with Jack Le Brocq returning to pair with rookie Zach Bates. Le Brocq started MSR's race-winning streak back in 2023, whilst Bates' talents were on full display with a debut Shootout berth last year. The second round at Albert Park, a happy MSR hunting ground, could prove if they're still on the money.

PremiAir Racing

Peter Xiberras has made a massive play as he looks to secure his first win as a Supercars team owner, with Roland Dane returning full-time to pit lane as Team Principal. However, he has an inexperienced driver line-up of Jayden Ojeda and Declan Fraser at his disposal, even if he rates both extremely highly. Dane has the experience to know a slow start isn't the end of the world amid such a big rebuild, but will such a young team know that?

Erebus Motorsport

Erebus were the only team who didn't score a podium last year, but on their best day at Bathurst, Cooper Murray and Jobe Stewart both proved that they have the goods. Now for Erebus, it's matter of rediscovering that consistent performance that saw them claim a championship double in 2023. If they can do that, both drivers could throw a real joker card into the season.

Blanchard Racing Team

There were real signs of promise from BRT next year, and there is a real sense of optimism heading into 2026. A Triple Eight technical deal will also be of huge benefit, as will the acquisitions of James Golding and Richie Stanaway, both of whom have Triple Eight customer and/or factory experience. However, there were more strong results that went by the wayside with nagging issues. If they disappear, they could well move up pit lane.

SCT Motorsport

SCT Motorsport have been making big statements about their intentions with Triple Eight equipment, saying this is their time to start achieving results. Stating your intentions is one thing, but acting upon them is another thing, especially with a driver in Jackson Walls who is yet to start a single Supercars race. If they can progress through the field as the season progresses, that will be a win.

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