Who is most likely to end Supercars championship wait in 2026?
Supercars.com got in early and boldly predicted there will be a first time champion in 2026, continuing a hot streak for the Repco Supercars Championship.
Brodie Kostecki (2023), Will Brown (2024) and Chaz Mostert (2025) have contributed to a streak of three first time champions in as many seasons in the Gen3 era.
Another new champion would equal the run of four consecutive first time winners between 2005 and 2008, when Russell Ingall, Rick Kelly, Garth Tander and Jamie Whincup scaled the summit of Supercars.
If a driver outside the trio of Kostecki, Brown and Mostert wins, which driver will it be, should the 2026 season deliver on our prediction? Supercars.com lists the leading contenders in 2025 finishing order. Readers can vote on their choice in the poll below.
Broc Feeney
The leading candidate has to be the driver who dominated 2025. Broc Feeney claimed 14 wins and a record breaking 19 poles last season, but stumbled at the final hurdle. Feeney has won more races (25) than any other driver in the Gen3 era, and while Triple Eight’s move to Ford raises questions, you can bet Feeney will be on it from Race 1.
Kai Allen
The standout rookie of 2025, Kai Allen returns in 2026 hunting wins. The Penrite Racing driver benefited from wobbles from rivals to reach the Grand Final, but he is now battle hardened after an impressive season.
Matt Payne
Allen will first have to climb over impressive teammate Matt Payne, who enters 2026 as the Bathurst winner. Amid questions over his future, Payne will be one to beat, having pulled off some miracle results in 2025.
Cam Waters
Each passing season leaves statements of “next year” for Cam Waters, who again fell short in 2025. The 2026 season is Waters’ 11th with Tickford Racing, and he has runner-up finishes 2020 and 2022. He has been a regular winner in the Gen3 era, but the biggest prizes have eluded him.
Thomas Randle
The 2020 Super2 champion stumbled his way into The Finals last season, and like Allen, is chasing his first Supercars win. It will be hard for Randle to win a championship for as long as Waters is his teammate. However, it seems a matter of time before something clicks for Randle, who isn’t afraid to get his elbows out with trophies on the line.
Anton De Pasquale
This year, there will be larger focus on Team 18, which has assumed the General Motors homologation team role. Anton De Pasquale came into his own and out of the Shell V-Power Racing Team’s shadow, and ironically beat replacement Brodie Kostecki in the standings. If GM is to have a title chance in 2026, De Pasquale will be key to their chances.
Ryan Wood
The fast Kiwi proved himself in 2025, but was seriously unlucky. Ryan Wood was more than Chaz Mostert’s match throughout 2025, and will have the bit between his teeth this season. If the Toyota is competitive out of the gate, Wood could be hard to handle.
Someone else
Cameron Hill (Brad Jones Racing) and James Golding (Blanchard Racing Team) are off to new teams, Andre Heimgartner enters his fifth season with BJR, and David Reynolds his third with Team 18. Erebus Motorsport has championship experience, but their line-up consists of second year driver Cooper Murray and highly regarded rookie Jobe Stewart. A wildcard is Rylan Gray, who enters 2026 with DJR off the back of a dominant Super2 title winning campaign.
