Supercars News: Wood Delivers Emotional Home Win as Toyota Claims Historic First Supercars win

Wellington’s Ryan Wood has become New Zealand’s latest motorsport hero, storming to victory in Race 9 of the ITM Taupō Super 440 on home soil. The 22-year-old Walkinshaw TWG Racing driver delivered Toyota’s maiden win in the Repco Supercars Championship in just the manufacturer’s ninth race—the fastest new entrant to reach the top step in the modern era.

Wood started from pole in the #2 Toyota GR Supra A90 and led for the majority of the 60-lap (approximately 200 km) sprint. But a dramatic final pit-stop sequence saw teammate Chaz Mostert (#1) emerge in the lead after undercutting Wood thanks to a fuel strategy edge. With eight laps remaining, Wood reeled in and passed Mostert to reclaim the lead, holding off a charging Broc Feeney (#88 Triple Eight Ford) to win by just over three seconds in front of a passionate Kiwi crowd.

Feeney snatched second from Mostert on lap 58 after a late-race charge through the infield esses, with 2024 champion Will Brown (#888) and Auckland’s Matt Payne (#19 Grove Racing) rounding out the top five. Brodie Kostecki (#17 Dick Johnson Racing) recovered to sixth after winning the earlier Race 8.

The race featured typical Taupō chaos in the pits, with some slow stops and cool-suit issues for drivers like Brown and Feeney. Light rain sprinkled the circuit late in the race, but the leaders stayed on slicks. Jackson Walls was the only retirement after right-front damage.

Wood was overcome with emotion post-race: “I’m so incredibly proud of our team and what we’ve done with this beautiful car. To win in our third round is pretty special… To do it at home in front of so many friends and family and supporters is so incredible.” Team principal Bruce Stewart acknowledged the tense strategy call: “We had a little bit longer with the fuel on Woody’s car… everyone had a bit of a ‘holy hell’ moment,” but praised the one-two potential.

The result not only marks Wood’s second career Supercars win but cements Toyota’s rapid rise since debuting the GR Supra in 2026 via Walkinshaw TWG Racing.

Championship and Weekend Wrap

Brodie Kostecki maintains the Repco Supercars Championship lead after his dominant Race 8 win and solid sixth-place finish here. The points chase now heads south to the South Island for the historic inaugural ITM Christchurch Super 440 at Ruapuna Raceway next weekend.

Sunday’s 120 km Race 10 at Taupō was cancelled due to the approaching Cyclone Vaianu, with the event rescheduled for Friday in Christchurch. The driver scoring the most points across both Taupō and Christchurch weekends will be awarded the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, honoring the beloved late Kiwi driver.

Wood now leads the early charge for that trophy on home soil – a perfect fairytale for New Zealand motorsport fans. The Supercars circus rolls on to Christchurch, where more drama is sure to follow.

Full Race 9 Results – ITM Taupō Super 440 (60 laps)