Queensland Raceway dished up many interesting moments on set-up day, as the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 readies to conclude the Repco Sprint Cup fight.
While 24 full-timers and three wildcards will all be vying for attention, the Sprint Cup battle is down to three: leader Matt Payne, contender Broc Feeney, and rank outsider Cam Waters.
Many drivers were relaxed, while teams got to work setting up garages and pit bays. Still, there was an aura of the unknown, something Queensland Raceway knows all too well, despite it boasting the fewest corners of any circuit on the calendar.
Catch key storylines for each team, listed in teams' championship order.
Penrite Racing
For all the ructions in recent weeks and days over the tyre pressure case, the Penrite Racing garages were as calm as ever heading into a defining weekend for both drivers. So calm was Matt Payne on Thursday, that the balance of a paddock conversation was centred on snow skiing and fishing.
Red Bull Ampol Racing
Broc Feeney took to the Dick Johnson Straight for a special media call, celebrating 150 races. Feeney was joined by Bayley Hall and Ben Gomersall. Will Brown has been the talk of the town, but made his presence felt, even being chipper with vocal critic James Courtney. The team also announced a naming rights extension with Red Bull.
Tickford Racing
The Ford team unveiled its wildcard Mustang for Ben Gomersall, who joins Cam Waters and Thomas Randle in an expanded Tickford line-up for the weekend. As mentioned, Gomersall did media alongside Broc Feeney and Bayley Hall.
Walkinshaw TWG Racing
A big Thursday for the Toyota squad, as 'B-spec' engines arrived and were fitted across a number of Supras. Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood helped put over 500km of running on a B-spec engine at The Bend in recent weeks, paving the way for what is hoped to be a competitive and reliable run home in 2026. A brilliant effort in — what we can't forget — Toyota's first season in the sport. Co-owner TWG Motorsports also emphatically denied any of its motorsport properties are for sale.
Team 18
The Charlie Schwerkolt-owned team expands to three cars, with Bayley Hall making his Supercars debut in the team's #15 Supercheap Auto-backed Camaro. Focus will also be on getting Anton De Pasquale further up the order: he sits 55 points behind fourth placed Brodie Kostecki, and 138 behind third placed Cam Waters.
Shell V-Power Racing Team
Brodie Kostecki was at his mischievous best on Thursday, but still made time for a special shoot involving TV talent and a recent book release — which was based on himself! Rylan Gray arrives following a rookie test day at The Bend, having qualified well in Perth.
Brad Jones Racing
It was all hands on deck down at the Brad Jones Racing garages as B-spec engines arrived. Andre Heimgartner and Cameron Hill are set to roll out the new machinery this weekend. Heimgartner is just clinging onto the Finals fight, and a great weekend would seriously bring him back into contention.
Matt Stone Racing
Jack Le Brocq is only 20 points ahead of James Golding, and needs a strong weekend on home soil to stay there. Zach Bates was one of five drivers to get a rookie test in at The Bend after Perth, and given his Perth struggles, he needed it. Aaron Seton also returns in his wildcard Camaro, and carries backing from Tony Longhurst's company on his car.
Blanchard Racing Team
Aaron Cameron was up to his old tricks with a zinger pointed at this week's big tyre pressure news as he set off on his track walk with his team. A relaxed and fast Cameron could be a good foil for teammate James Golding, who is right behind Jack Le Brocq. Cameron scored his maiden top 10 qualifying results in Supercars here last year, so he knows his way around the joint.
PremiAir Racing
Another rookie test for the Roland Dane-run team was ticked off after Perth, this time for Jayden Ojeda. Ojeda is still in the frame for a Finals spot, while Declan Fraser will be hoping to get results at his team's home track, where he tested just weeks ago.
Erebus Motorsport
A new livery for Jobe Stewart was unveiled on Thursday, complete with new backing from Argus Auctions and Mackay Goodwin. The black and yellow livery harks back to the team's 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour victory with Mercedes.
Objective Racing
Jackson Walls has good form at Queensland Raceway: he won here last year in Super2. He has also turned plenty of testing and shakedown laps here, and will be hoping that home track advantage, and a recent rookie test, can bear fruit.
