Sunday's AirTouch 500 at The Bend boasts an intriguing grid, with three blockbuster Mustang combinations qualifying towards the front.
The top 10 was separated by 0.237, marking the tightest top 10 of 2026. For the first time, there were four Chevrolets in the top 10, and no Toyotas in the top 10.
It's safe to say that, after five practice sessions, the narrative shifted once again in qualifying and the Top Ten Shootout.
Winner: Kostecki/Hazelwood
From sixth in qualifying to pole in the Shootout, it was another Brodie Kostecki masterclass, setting up a dream start for co-driver Todd Hazelwood. Kostecki was the only Shootout runner to go quicker than qualifying, albeit to the tune of 0.03s. Make that 25 consecutive top 10 qualifying results for Kostecki.
Loser: Triple Eight
Broc Feeney and Will Brown were seventh and 13th after the day's action. To be fair, the team has been fighting to find balance all weekend, and Brown was also undone by a braking issue on his final run in qualifying. Still, Nick Percat and Scott Pye are facing a busy first stint if they want to get some early track position for their primaries.
Winner: Payne/Davison
Matt Payne was again a revelation, only just missing out on an eighth pole for the season. The Kostecki vs Payne show could be the story of Sunday, but Cam Waters will want a piece of that. Will Davison is feeding off Payne's relaxed nature, and we know just how clever Penrite Racing can be with strategy.
Loser: Walkinshaw TWG Racing
Both Walkinshaw TWG Racing cars qualified outside the top 10 for only the third time this season. It was a disappointing result given Chaz Mostert fired a big shot in final practice. Ryan Wood's high-speed scare with Matt Payne compounded his session. Can they move forward in the race?
Winner: Tickford Racing
Cam Waters and Thomas Randle qualified third and fourth on a strong day for Tickford Racing, which admittedly ended Friday well off where they wanted to be. Both Tickford Mustangs qualified in the top four for the second time this season. Mark Winterbottom and Reuben Goodall are set to take the reins at the start, but can they stay there and give Tickford a double shot at glory?
Loser: Brad Jones Racing
Brad Jones Racing Supras have been nondescript all weekend. It has been a particularly jarring weekend for the Cameron Hill/Brad Vaughan car, which has been anchored to the bottom since the outset. 26th is the worst qualifying performance of Hill's career, while Andre Heimgartner and Macauley Jones were 19th and 23rd.
Winner: De Pasquale/Holdsworth
Sure, falling from provisional pole to fifth in the Shootout wasn't ideal. But amid the public parity war at The Bend, the Anton De Pasquale/Lee Holdsworth car has led the Camaro charge admirably, if not for concerns over a mystery engine issue. There were four Chevrolets in the top 10, the highest number of the year.
Loser: Blanchard Racing Team
17th and 18th on the grid gives co-drivers Zak Best and Richie Stanaway something to think about when the lights go out. Blanchard Fords haven't been towards the front all weekend, but there's intrigue over how they will perform across 500 kilometres.
Winner: Erebus Motorsport
Jobe Stewart was a revelation, sneaking into the Shootout before jumping up a spot to qualify a career best ninth. All season, Erebus Motorsport has been on the wrong side of the coin. Is today the day? The key is a good, clean first stint for Jarrod Hughes. 12th for Cooper Murray also gives Lochie Dalton something to work with.
