Nick Percat replaces Jamie Whincup alongside Broc Feeney
Will Davison replaced Garth Tander alongside Matt Payne
Feeney leads Payne by 30 points heading to Tailem Bend
The names ‘Nick Percat’ and ‘Will Davison’ carried plenty of weight in seasons gone past. In 2026, they’ll play a much different role.
The retirees will partner Broc Feeney and Matt Payne for the upcoming AirTouch 500 at The Bend and Repco Bathurst 1000.
The all-new pairings replace the Feeney/Jamie Whincup and Payne/Garth Tander combinations, which delivered a 2023 Sandown and 2025 Bathurst win.
While Percat and Davison are eyeing off race and Ryco Enduro Cup victories, they will also play a crucial role in the destiny of the top seeding for the 2026 Repco Supercars Finals Series.
After a dramatic climax to the Repco Sprint Cup, Feeney heads to The Bend just 30 points ahead of Payne, with 600 points up for grabs across the next two races. The highest placed driver in the points after Bathurst is set to carry the top seeding for the Finals opener at Surfers Paradise.
With Brodie Kostecki and Cam Waters 225 and 255 points from the lead respectively, Feeney and Payne appear most likely to battle it out for the top seeding across the next two events.
Feeney and Payne claimed bonus points in 2025, courtesy of Sprint Cup and Enduro Cup wins. Feeney has locked away Sprint Cup bonus points again, and alongside 2011 Bathurst winner Percat, is expected to fight for the Ryco Enduro Cup.
Speaking ahead of The Bend, Payne knows the Feeney/Percat pairing will be hard to beat, but identified two other combinations that will be tough to stop.
“Broc teaming up with Nick is a new combination,” Payne said.
“I think they’re going to be very strong. Nick’s fresh out of main game driving, and was putting in pretty good performances last year. That’s gonna be tough.
“Brodie and Todd [Hazelwood], same again, they’re always tough to beat, especially at Bathurst. Cam [Waters] and Frosty [Mark Winterbottom], they were right in it last year, especially at The Bend.
“Hopefully we can mix it with those guys, I think Will’s looking forward to getting his elbows out.”
As they did with Whincup and Tander, Feeney and Payne welcome Bathurst champions into their corner. Percat won in 2011, and Davison in 2009 and 2016.
“Change of scenery for me this year, having Nick come onboard, it's really exciting,” Feeney said.
"I've worked with Jamie for five years, but to have someone fresh come in, we’ll have new ideas. Me and Nick have worked together a little bit in the past. I've had to race him, so I know what he's capable of.
“He's beat me quite a few times to a few race wins, so really looking forward to sharing the car with him.”
Track action at The Bend commences on Friday September 11.
