![\"POLL:](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Supercars-Testing-QueenslandRaceway-109.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJobe Stewart is one of five rookies set to jump into the championship in 2026. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJobe Stewart is one of five rookies set to jump into the championship in 2026. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n
Dick Johnson Racing\u2019s decision to axe veteran Will Davison in favour of Super2 teen Rylan Gray<\/a> is the latest in a series of moves towards youth.<\/p>\n The grid now appears set<\/a> with Matt Stone Racing expected to confirm another rookie, Zach Bates, and the Blanchard Racing Team poised to re-commit to current rookie Aaron Cameron.<\/p>\n With those moves included, next year\u2019s field is poised to be the youngest on record.<\/p>\n According to Supercars, the average age of the drivers on the opening day of the 2026 season will be just 27 years and 117 days.<\/p>\n That\u2019s almost two years younger than the previous benchmark set all the way back in 2008.<\/p>\n The exits of Davison, 43, James Courtney, 45, and Nick Percat, 37, will leave David Reynolds, 40, as the only veteran left.<\/p>\n With Richie Stanaway (who turns 34 this month) also falling by the wayside, the second oldest will be Chaz Mostert at just 33.<\/p>\n So, what of the new wave?<\/p>\n Gray, 18, hopes to join DJR as the latest Super2 Series winner. He\u2019s currently in his second season in the class with Tickford Racing and leads the standings ahead of Adelaide.<\/p>\n The New South Welshman has also had three main game wildcards this year with Tickford, as well as a full-season GT4 program where he finished second in the series standings.<\/p>\n How the 2026 Supercars grid has taken shape<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Bates, 21, won the 2024 Super2 Series with Walkinshaw Andretti United but has had a tougher time in the second tier this year at Eggleston Motorsport.<\/p>\n Still, he showed plenty in a three-round Supercars Championship wildcard program with Triple Eight, including third in qualifying and fifth in the Shootout on the Sunday at Ipswich.<\/p>\n Jobe Stewart, 21, is also well-placed to make a flying start to his Supercars career at Erebus Motorsport next season.<\/a><\/p>\n Stewart won the Super3 title in 2023, is currently in his second Super2 season and starred in the recent Enduro Cup co-driving alongside his 2026 teammate Cooper Murray.<\/p>\n Jayden Ojeda, 26, has taken a longer road to the main game, spending recent years splitting his time between GT3 racing and Enduro Cup co-driving duties.<\/p>\n He has six endurance campaigns under his belt, including a stellar 2025 effort at Walkinshaw Andretti United, and joins PremiAir Racing effective immediately in place of Stanaway<\/a>.<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s Jackson Walls, 22, who will be catapulted into Triple Eight\u2019s expanded three-car line-up after just a single season of Super2 with the Banyo squad.<\/p>\n The son-of-a-billionaire\u2019s Triple Eight chance through SCT Motorsport has drawn some high-profile critics, but he\u2019ll have every chance to prove them wrong once the season kicks off.<\/p>\n So what do you think? Who will be the top Supercars rookie in 2026? Cast your vote below on this week\u2019s Pirtek Poll.<\/p>\n
![\"Pirtek](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img-pirtek-poll.jpg\")