WAU boss' big vote of confidence for new-look Wood

Walkinshaw Andretti United CEO Bruce Stewart believes a new-look Ryan Wood will be a "real contender" in the early rounds of the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship.

The 21-year-old will line up alongside two-time Bathurst winner Chaz Mostert for a second season in the main game, after being the standout rookie in 2024.

While Mostert was WAU's clear standout last season, Wood improved dramatically as the year wore on, helping the Ford squad finish third in the teams' championship.

Wood made four Top Ten Shootouts and claimed top 10s at six events last season, recovering from a double DNF at Round 1 to be fighting among the top half of the field.

The New Zealander was proud to end 2024 as the top rookie, but admitted he was disappointed to fall short of his ultimate goal: claiming silverware. The team, meanwhile, acknowledged Wood's "flashes of speed" despite the #2 Ford often finding trouble.

Speaking amid Wood's 2025 livery launch, Stewart says Wood has put in plenty of work in the months after Adelaide to make a splash in the early rounds of 2025.

“This is going to be a really exciting year for Ryan, he has put in the work over the off season and will be a real contender from early on in the season,” Stewart said.

"He had a really strong rookie season, he showed what he is capable of, but we all have to take another step forward again in 2025, fighting for podiums and race wins, which we all know Ryan is capable of.

"I’m really excited to see his progression this year, I just can’t wait to get it all underway and get back to business."

Wood concedes it won't get any easier in the main game, but is eager to commence his second season and put the hard off-season work to good use.

“It’s going to be a huge year, year two isn’t going to be any easier than year one,” Wood said.

“So we’ve been putting in a heap of work to continue to move forward – we want some trophies this year that’s for sure.

“It’s been far too long since Adelaide, I’ve been annoying everyone in at work just wanting to drive the Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing Mustang, so I’m counting down the days before the test and Round 1, can’t wait to get stuck in.”