Wood's near-perfect response to Walkinshaw extension

Walkinshaw TWG Racing's announcement of dual contract extensions for Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood on the eve of the ITM Taupō Super 440 came as little surprise.

With the new Toyota GR Supra on a long development road, it made sense to keep stability with a driver line-up in red hot form, Mostert the reigning champion, and Wood the breakout star of 2025.

With a six-race swing to follow in his homeland, there was every chance that the 22-year-old would be buoyed by locking down his future, but few could've predicted just how good he was going to be.

Securing Toyota's maiden pole and race win in Taupō, Wood also secure three finishes of third and a fourth to comfortably lead the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy race heading into the final day.

By his own admission, Ruapuna was a scrappy weekend, however he was well in position to get his hands on the JR Trophy. That was until the Toyota V8 cried enough just seven laps from home.

Emotions were running high post-race, especially after Mostert's run in with Brodie Kostecki, however Wood didn't throw his toys out of the cot. Instead, he was calm, measured, and although disappointed, saw enormous positives.

"It's a real bitter pill to swallow, but I'm super proud of every individual in our team," Wood said post-race on broadcast.

"Our group of guys and girls have worked so hard, and we've had a great two weeks here in New Zealand. The way it ended is not what we wanted.

"It's motorsport sometimes. We can build from this, and learn. My race wasn't the cleanest of races, I made a few mistakes, and it's just about being better in those moments."

Ultimately, his dazzling run of form, spurred on by his adoring countrymen and women, was the ultimate repayment for the faith he put into the team that had plucked from relative obscurity within the Supercars world.

Wood revealed more insight into the decision to remain with Walkinshaw on MotorRacing 360 prior to on-track action kicking off in Christchurch, and said there was no debate.

"I think there was no doubt in our minds, and especially in my mind, that I wanted to be with [WTWGR], and I didn't really get involved in anything else," Wood said.

"I don't know what my management had to do with anything, but I guess that's up to the team and Murph [Greg Murphy] here, he'll probably talk about it.

"But nothing transpired, and it wasn't entertained from our end. I don't even know if it happened, so to be honest I'm happy with where I'm at and the long-term future for our team, and where we're at is exciting.

"I hope they get their star driver and we can go racing with Chevy."

Murphy, who is both a mentor and also part of Wood's management team, was a guest host on the same 360 panel, and revealed that GM had made an enquiry to try and prise the Kiwi away from Walkinshaw.

Ultimately Wood now joins the likes of Mostert and Cam Waters as drivers who turned down the advances of GM as they look for a star driver to bolster their depleted ranks, now turning their attention to Matt Payne.

When asked if Wood was an obvious candidate for GM's driver search, Murphy simply replied, "It's pretty obvious."

"He spoke about it, and that's been clear for very, very long time.

"He loves this team, he loves the people, he's got a great relationship, and I've been very clear with him, if you want me involved, we're not doing this for the money.

"We're doing this because when you're successful, and when you're happy, and when you're in the right place with the right people, all that stuff comes. It's organic."

Wood currently sits sixth in the Repco Supercars Championship, ahead of the next round at the Tyrepower Tasmania Super 440 fron May 22-24.