Brodie Kostecki and Ryan Wood both secured Pole positions at Qualifying for Races Eight and Nine at the 2026 ITM Taupō Super 440.
Kostecki looked dominant over both sessions, however it was Wood, who edged out the field. The Kiwi secured Toyota’s first Pole Position in the 2026 Supercars Championship.
Kostecki clears the field in Race 8 Qualifying
The green flags waved on the first round of Qualifying for Race 8 at the ITM Taupō Super 440, and it was Brodie Kostecki who jumped to the top of the timesheet. After the opening stint, the DJR driver was just under four tenths clear of Ryan Wood in second.
With one flying lap left for the field, it was Blanchard Racing Team who struggle with grip around the 3.3km circuit. The times started to tumble, with Cam Waters and both Team 18 Drivers failing to make the top 10. Kostecki was able to save his super soft tyres after not heading out for a second lap. BRT’s James Golding slid into the top ten, nudging out Jack Le Brocq who will start Race 8 in 11th.
As the pit lane opened for the second part of Race 8 qualifying, it was Kostecki who once again set three purple sectors. After seven minutes on track, Triple Eights drivers Will Brown and Broc Feeney sat in second and third, over four tenths behind Kostecki.
Feeney went for another flying lap, jumping up to second, 1.3 seconds behind Kostecki. The Triple Eight racer suffered a small slip through Turn 9, a moment that proved to be decisive. New Zealand’s Matt Payne was able to split Feeney and Brown during his final run. The Walkinshaw duo of Ryan Wood and Chaz Mostert, who both recently resigned with the team, ended qualifying in fifth and seventh. While Penrite’s Kai Allen was able to jump into sixth.
Wood secures home race Pole in Race 9 Qualifying
The super soft tyres were packed away, and the field was back on their usual soft tyre for Race 9 Qualifying. Golding was able to jump to the top of the field after the first six minutes. Walkinshaw continued their strong form, both Toyota’s slotting into the top four.
Heading into the second runs of qualifying, Thomas Randle and Payne were both sitting outside the top ten. Anton De Pasquale was the only Chevrolet within the top ten. While Ford continued to dominate the top half of the field.
Penrite’s Payne and Allen were momentarily able to secure a one two, however they were outpaced by Kostecki once again. As the clocked ticked down the the first half of Race 9 Qualifying, it was Le Brocq who once again missed out on the top ten. Sitting in 11th, Le Borcq will lead Randle, David Reynolds and Aaron Cameron in Race 9. Ahead of them, Will Brown just slipped into the top ten. Penrite, Triple Eight and Walkinshaw were once again able to secure both driver in the front half of the field.
Heading into the second half of Qualifying, it was Kostecki who was on track to break the track record. Feeney ended the first runs at the top of the timesheet, one hundredth of a second ahead of Kostecki. However, the times started to drop during the final runs.
Kostecki and Feeney were unable to make any major improvements on their laps, leaving them vulnerable to the field. New Zealand’s Ryan Wood made the most of the quick circuit, securing Toyota’s first pole position. The four time pole sitter edged out Brown by 0.017s.
Triple Eight secured a second and third for Race 9. While Kostecki was forced into fourth, with only seven hundredths separating the top four. BRT’s Golding managed to jump into fifth, while De Pasquale was the highest placed Chevrolet in seventh.
Race 8 will occur at 12:20pm track time before the 60 lap Race 9 at 3:30pm on Saturday.
