How silly season movers have shaped 2026 (so far)

In coming weeks and months, attention will start to shift to the make-up of the grid for the 2027 Supercars season, with speculation already mounting for some.

With half of the 14-round season now gone, there is also enough of a sample size to evaluate how the new recruits for each team on the grid have performed this season.

With five rookies making up a total of nine changes on the grid year-on-year, there was always an element of the unknown, particularly from the midfield and beyond.

Ultimately, some of the new driver/team partnerships have elevated both parties to new heights amid the ongoing battle for the top 10 and the Repco Supercars Finals Series.

Others have struggled as they look to get up to speed with new programs, whilst the rookies have experienced the whole gamut of Supercars in the space of just seven events.

In championship order, Supercars.com looks at all the moving pieces of the 2025/26 silly season, and how they've performed in the first half of the year.

Jack Le Brocq

After 7 rounds 2025: 15th

After 7 rounds 2026: 10th

Points to Finals: +11

Upon return to Matt Stone Racing, Jack Le Brocq has been an ever-constant presence in the danger zone of eighth to 12th. At the moment, he's slap bang in the middle in 10th, a strong weekend in Townsville vaulting him ahead of a struggling James Golding. Longer races have been his strength in 2026, something worth keeping in mind come enduro season.

Season race average: 11.3 (10th in field)

Season qualifying average: 13.5 (15th in field)

James Golding

After 7 rounds 2025: 16th

After 7 rounds 2026: 11th

Points to Finals: -11

It almost seemed a certainty just two rounds ago that James Golding would be the the Cinderella story in this year's Finals Series, but now he's no certainty to make the top 10. Regardless, two podiums in the first 12 races of the year was a breakout run for Blanchard Racing Team. Enduro co-driver Richie Stanaway is one of six drivers on the enduro grid to have won both Bathurst and the '500', and could be crucial in Golding's Finals chances.

Season race average: 11.5 (11th in field)

Season qualifying average: 11.0 (11th in field)

Jayden Ojeda

After 7 rounds 2025: N/A

After 7 rounds 2026: 12th

Points to Finals: -137

The standout rookie of the season, Jayden Ojeda is mowing into his deficit to the Finals bubble. In shades of Kai Allen's 2025 season, the Sydneysider was over 200 points down after four rounds, but has slashed that with strong form across the last three events. David Russell joins for the enduros, the pair suddenly emerging as potential dark horses.

Season race average: 12.5 (14th in field)

Season qualifying average: 13.1 (13th in field)

Cameron Hill

After 7 rounds 2025: 11th

After 7 rounds 2026: 16th

Points to Finals: -290

After narrowly missing the Finals last year with MSR, there was a sense of optimism surrounding Cameron Hill's move to Brad Jones Racing. However, it hasn't yet clicked, with particularly difficult rounds in Christchurch and Townsville proving particularly costly.

Season race average: 14.8 (16th in field)

Season qualifying average: 16.6 (18th in field)

Zach Bates

After 7 rounds 2025: N/A

After 7 rounds 2026: 17th

Points to Finals: -382

It's been a traditional rollercoaster rookie season for Zach Bates, who has continued to show glimpses of raw speed throughout the year for MSR. Qualifying inside the top 10 for all three races to open the season in Sydney was a big tick, but race craft has let the 2024 Super2 champion down by his own admission.

Season race average: 15.8 (17th in field)

Season qualifying average: 14.4 (16th in field)

Declan Fraser

After 7 rounds 2025: N/A

After 7 rounds 2026: 18th

Points to Finals: -430

Whilst PremiAir teammate Ojeda is getting better and better with every passing round, Declan Fraser hasn't had it as easy in his full-time return. Career-best qualifying (11th, Townsville) and race results (10th, Christchurch), have been rare highlights in a trying year for the popular Fraser, whose future is beginning to be called into question.

Season race average: 17.7 (21st in field)

Season qualifying average: 19.5 (21st in field)

Rylan Gray

After 7 rounds 2025: N/A

After 7 rounds 2026: 19th

Points to Finals: -444

Dick Johnson Racing have reiterated on more than one occasion that Rylan Gray's sole objective was to merely progress as the season wore on. It's hard to argue that the teenager isn't hitting that target, with the most recent round in Townsville marking Gray's first Shootout appearance, whilst dual top 10 finishes in Christchurch were also encouraging.

Season race average: 16.2 (18th in field)

Season qualifying average: 17.1 (20th in field)

Jackson Walls

After 7 rounds 2025: N/A

After 7 rounds 2026: 23rd

Points to Finals: -540

After winning a race in his rookie Super2 season, Jackson Walls has quietly plied his trade in SCT Motorsport's Triple Eight Ford. With just five events in Supercars machinery under his belt before the season started, it was always going to be a steep learning curve, but he has shown well on circuits where he has Super2 experience.

Season race average: 19.3 (23rd in field)

Season qualifying average: 19.9 (22nd in field)

Jobe Stewart

After 7 rounds 2025: N/A

After 7 rounds 2026: 24th

Points to Finals: -565

It's been a rough road for Erebus Motorsport to start the season, especially so for rookie Jobe Stewart. After starring in last year's enduros, the South Australian has endured a baptism of fire this year, ranking last in the field for both qualifying and race finishes.

Season race average: 19.9 (24th in field)

Season qualifying average: 20.7 (24th in field)