Wood outlines next steps after see-sawing start to 2026
Ryan Wood delivers verdict on turbulent start to 2026
Walkinshaw TWG racer sits sixth, 131 points clear of the cut
Wood missed out on Jason Richards Trophy, lost crucial points
Ryan Wood believes there are more steps to be taken with his car and in himself despite delivering his best to a Supercars campaign.
The Walkinshaw TWG Racing driver has been a standout aboard his new Toyota Supra, claiming five podiums, two poles and an historic win in Taupō.
Wood heads to the Tyrepower Tasmania Super 440 a credible sixth overall, 131 points above the Finals cut-line. It’s easily Wood’s best start to a Supercars season, having sat 16th and 555 points from the lead after four rounds in his rookie season, before teetering in 10th this time last year.
It could have been even better, though, given the tough scenes of the Ruapuna finale.
Running seventh in Race 13, Wood had the Jason Richards Trophy in his hands, and would have returned to Australia fourth in the championship, However, the engine in his Supra had other ideas.
Where he could have left New Zealand over 200 points clear of the cut-line, Wood suffered another mechanical issue that was out of his hands, losing 85 points for seventh in the process.
Given the rollercoaster starts to 2024 and 2025, the Kiwi was still pleased to hit the ground running in 2026, despite losing points with the Christchurch DNF, and collisions in the final two Melbourne races.
“I would say our season so far has been decent,” Wood told media in Townsville.
“Obviously the last race in New Zealand was gut-wrenching, we probably would’ve been top three, top four in the championship if that didn’t happen.
“A little bit to work on from that side, and even my driving, there have been a few little mishaps earlier on in the year. Nonetheless, it’s been the best start to a Supercars campaign.”
WTWGR moved quickly to investigate the issue, air freighting the affected engine back to Australia as the cars returned via sea freight.
Regardless, Wood, WTWGR and Toyota had made their presence felt on the championship, with the drama of the Christchurch finale prompting the team to band together and stay the course.
Wood scraped into the 2025 Finals in 10th, despite being 157 points clear of the cut-line ahead of last year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
As the regular season wears on, Wood has created a platform to clinch a Finals berth before Bathurst, but knows there are no guarantees.
“I’m feeling confident as the year goes on,” said Wood, who recently signed a new deal with Walkinshaw TWG.
"Just make sure we’re in that 10 and fight for a championship in the back half of the year."
Track action in Tasmania commences on Friday May 22.
