This time, it's personal: The rivalries that will spice up 2026 Supercars season
The 2026 Repco Supercars Championship is set to be harder to pick than a broken nose. Given the tense scenes we saw throughout 2025, you can bet there are some drivers and teams with settles to score.
With new champions and new cars brings new optimism. However, the Supercars paddock can be as vicious as any sporting amphitheatre when combatants get into each other.
One thing we learned in 2025 is, with so much on the line, drivers and teams won't take a backward step. Even some of the more measured drivers threw stones post-race, proving when there's something to lose, nothing is off limits.
Supercars.com has picked out seven key rivalries that will shape the upcoming season.
Ford vs General Motors vs Toyota
Three different manufacturers, all vying for the same piece of turf. One has been boosted by the addition of Triple Eight, another is rebuilding and is trumpeting a new alliance, while a third is new altogether, albeit with drivers' champion in their back pocket. Chevrolet won 17 races to Ford's 16 in 2025 in one of the closest and most competitive seasons in memory. If the new GR Supra is on the pace, which brand will get the upper hand? Off track, like the old days, it could spill into the press as each brand looks to sling mud at the other.
Triple Eight vs Walkinshaw TWG Racing
Images of Adelaide Sunday will be scorched into the minds of both teams. It's like a championship bout between two heavyweight boxers – big punches will be thrown, and carnage will ensue. Both teams are armed with champion attacks, and they have astute team bosses who have venomous word selections at their disposal if the proverbial hits the fan.
Cam Waters vs Matt Payne
When Cam Waters and Matt Payne collided at the 2024 Grand Prix, an unexpected rivalry was born. Words exchanged, doors slammed, Mustangs crumpled – it was enough to make any Ford fan squirm. They came together again at Sandown last year, knocking both drivers out of The Finals. If offered another glimpse of how egos can control what happens on track. While they race from the same side of the fence, these two Ford stars will never be happy with letting the other by.
Chaz Mostert vs Broc Feeney
While their teams will carry tension into 2026, Chaz Mostert and Broc Feeney respect each other, both on and off the track. However, their clash on the Gold Coast suggested both drivers won't give an inch to each other when the chips are down. That was proven once again as they clambered through the Senna Chicane in the Friday race in Adelaide. Box office stuff.
Ryan Wood vs Broc Feeney
Naturally, when you're racing for sheep stations, you're going to run into strife. Opinions will forever be split on what went down on lap 1 in last year's Adelaide finale, and feeling will linger for some time. The win for Supercars fans is that neither driver backed down.
Will Brown vs Kai Allen
Reigning champion versus rookie. Who saw that coming? Well, as Kai Allen continued to go from strength to strength, and as Will Brown battled for qualifying consistency, they found themselves alongside each other more often than not. Allen sent Brown into a spin in the Gold Coast opener. In the second Adelaide race, Allen again caught Brown, but this time, both drivers had a lot to lose. It led to a brilliant battle – but inevitably, contact was made.
Rylan Gray vs Zach Bates vs Jobe Stewart vs Jackson Walls
A quartet of Super2 rivals will rise to the main game together, three of them at championship winning teams. Rylan Gray (Dick Johnson Racing) and Zach Bates (Matt Stone Racing) are the last two Super2 champions, and will be keen to impose themselves. Erebus Motorsport has handed a long term deal to Jobe Stewart, such is the team's faith in their latest academy prospect. Then, there's the raw talent of Jackson Walls, who will drive a Triple Eight-prepared Ford at SCT Motorsport. Which rookie will emerge as top dog?
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of Supercars, teams or drivers.
