Toyota, Triple Eight, silly season: The storylines that will define Supercars in 2026

We're nearly a week into 2026, but tension is rapidly building to Round 1 of the new Repco Supercars Championship season in Sydney on February 20-22.

There's no better time to look ahead, though, because there's plenty to unfold before the starting lights go out under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Three teams are changing cars, we have a new drivers' champion, there are more rounds and races, and we're heading into the second season under the new Finals Series format.

Supercars.com breaks down the storylines that will define the 2026 season.

How will the Toyota fare?

After an 18-month development project, the new GR Supra will make its debut at the hands of Walkinshaw Andretti United (soon to be Walkinshaw TWG Racing) and Brad Jones Racing. A successful wind tunnel test journey to the United States has delivered aerodynamic parity between the Supra, Mustang and Camaro, and while questions remain over the engine, the platform has been laid for the Supra to hit the ground running.

Can Triple Eight turn Ford into a dominant force?

While Mustangs won the drivers' championship and Bathurst 1000 in 2025, the Gen3 era has largely been dominated by Camaros. However, the weight of numbers is on Triple Eight's side, which claimed 44% of the wins, 38% of the poles and 60% of the podiums between 2023 and 2025. If Triple Eight can deliver such form for Ford, the tides could turn blue.

Can General Motors stay at the front?

General Motors reacted quickly to Ford nabbing Triple Eight. However, it's impossible to replace a team with a record 278 race wins, 227 of which came in GM machinery. Conversely, GM's 2026 driver line-up combines for just 19 Supercars wins — nine for Anton De Pasquale, eight for David Reynolds, and two for Jack Le Brocq.

Which team will emerge as top dog?

Triple Eight dominated 2025, but moves to Ford. Walkinshaw Andretti United won the drivers' title, but moves to the all new Toyota. Such changes could open the door to the likes of Grove Racing and Tickford Racing, which have undergone little change year on year. Team 18 will be keen to lead General Motors' charge, while Erebus Motorsport will be keen to atone for a winless season, two years after winning both championships. It could be anyone's game.

Can Feeney turn heartache into glory?

At 23, Broc Feeney has already had his fair share of heartbreak. Defeat in last year's championship was the toughest pill to swallow, but it could unlock an even better level from the Triple Eight star. Look no further than Scott McLaughlin, who after losing the 2017 title in controversial circumstances, won three titles on the trot on the back of 40 wins and 43 poles in three seasons.

Which rookie will stand tallest?

Rylan Gray, Zach Bates, Jobe Stewart, Jackson Walls and Jayden Ojeda form one of the most promising rookie crops in recent years. Gray and Bates are the last two Super2 champions, Stewart and Ojeda were the standout co-drivers in last year's enduros, and Walls has won in Super2 and Porsche Carrera Cup. They each have massive potential, and it will come down to which team extracts their best.

What (or rather, who) will be the next silly season shock?

Teams are quickly moving to lock down drivers to long term deals. You can't win championships without star power, and building teams around drivers can deliver success. Look no further than Chaz Mostert, who delivered a championship to Walkinshaw Andretti United for the first time since 2002. The futures of Mostert and Matt Payne are set to frame the upcoming silly season, given many of their rivals have already been locked away.

How will teams approach second season of Finals?

The inaugural Repco Supercars Finals Series was always going to present some twists and turns, and that's what we got. However, teams and drivers were feeling their way through the three sudden-death rounds. With a year under their belt, that won't be the case in 2026. You can bet more games will be played, and there will be even more intensity. Beyond Broc Feeney's last day disaster, the likes of Brodie Kostecki, Matt Payne, Cam Waters and Anton De Pasquale will all be keen to make amends for their 2025 Finals errors.

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of Supercars, teams or drivers.