Wood falls short in 70th New Zealand Grand Prix

Ryan Wood has brought home a top five finish in the prestigious New Zealand Grand Prix, which was taken out by compatriot Zack Scoular.

The Walkinshaw TWG Racing Supercars driver raced from seventh to fifth in the 27-lap race, which finished under the control of the Safety Car.

Wood was aiming to become the third active Supercars driver, after Shane van Gisbergen (2021) and Will Brown (2025) to win the New Zealand Grand Prix.

Wood was set to start from the front row, but a disqualification row over a technical breach consigned the Kiwi to seventh on the grid.

The 22-year-old picked off countryman Louis Sharp for fifth after a restart, with a crash for Jack Taylor triggering a red flag.

Try as he might, Wood was unable to pass Briton Freddie Slater to make inroads into the leading group, with Scoular leading Jin Nakamura and Kanato Le home.

American Trevor LaTourette crashed on the penultimate lap, causing another Safety Car and confirming victory for Scoular.

Wood finished fifth in the standings, 50 points behind American champion Ugo Ugochukwu, who clinched the title with ninth.

In Sunday’s earlier race, Wood survived a wild off through the first chicane to finish sixth, his car catching air after side-to-side contact with MTEC Motorsport teammate Sharp through the chicane.

The Walkinshaw star will turn his attention to the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship, which commences at the DUNLOP Sydney 500 on February 20-22.

Wood is set to shake down his new Toyota GR Supra Supercar in coming weeks ahead of the all-in pre-season test, also in Sydney, on February 18.

Supercars returns to New Zealand with an historic doubleheader, with Taupō (April 10-12) and Ruapuna (April 17-19) hosting championship rounds on consecutive weekends.