The big Bathurst picture driving rookie's debut

Tickford's latest main game rookie knows that he has an opportunity that many young drivers envy.

Having landed a solo Supercars debut at one of the sport's great legacy teams, Reuben Goodall has his sights set on the biggest race on the calendar, and adding his name to an illustrious list of Bathurst winners.

The 22-year-old South Australian will become the latest DUNLOP Super2 Series star to pilot a main game wildcard, driving the #5 Mustang alongside regulars Cam Waters and Thomas Randle.

Goodall will be one of three rising stars to drive the #5 this year, with Ben Gomersall and Campbell Logan set to combine at the first enduro of the year at The Bend, Gomersall also driving solo at Ipswich. Goodall will join Randle for the Ryco Enduro Cup.

Goodall saddles up at an opportune time, Tickford and Waters having roared back into form at the Darwin Triple Crown. In last year's Super2 round, Goodall claimed two runner-up finishes for Tickford.

But, as much as he does have goals for his debut weekend, the former Toyota 86 frontrunner says that this weekend is all about building to an assault on the Peter Brock Trophy.

"Now that I've done a test day and had a chance to reflect on things, I just wanna do every lap in Townsville," Goodall told Supercars.com ahead of his Supercars debut.

"In qualifying, I'd love to crack the top 18 and get through the first part of qualifying, but ultimately this is all about getting miles before The Bend and Bathurst.

"My goal is to win Bathurst, and Tickford are really giving me the best opportunity to do that in giving me laps before the enduros.

"We saw last year, Tommy was quick at The Bend, he's been quick at The Bend every time he's gone there, and he was quick at Bathurst last year as well."

After being forced out of the final race in Darwin on medical grounds, Randle is now precariously placed in the battle for Finals, 14th in the standings and 230 points behind 10th.

With five rounds remaining until the 10-strong Finals field is set, Randle needs to claw back considerable ground over the next few rounds, or secure an automatic Finals berth - and 25 bonus points - should he and Goodall win the Ryco Enduro Cup.

Through all of those permutations, Goodall's own career prospects are also looming large.

Improving from 15th in 2024 to fourth in his first year with Tickford in the development series last year, Goodall has been touted as a Super2 title contender this year, whilst also earning his first taste of the main game.

Currently fourth through two rounds of this year's second tier title race, Goodall is looking to examples of recent progressions from wildcard to main game as he looks to join the grid full-time.

"Definitely you need to do a good job in enduros, it's probably shown more that the work you do in enduros and in the Gen3 is more important than what you do in the Super2 stuff," Goodall said.

"Obviously Super2 is a big part of it, you look at Rylan winning the championship last year. But you also look at the likes of Cooper [Murray], Zach Bates, Jobe Stewart, who all earned their credits in their wildcard opportunity or in their enduro opportunities.

"It's really a combination of doing well across the board, but if I have to pick doing well in one of them, it would definitely be the Gen3 that would more benefit my chances."

Goodall won't be the only wildcard on the grid, with Matt Stone Racing running third generation driver Aaron Seton in a third Camaro.

The NTI Townsville 500 begins on Friday.