Ipswich Super 440 2026 Tips & Predictions – Payne to Seal Sprint Cup
The Ipswich Super 440 2026 promises an exciting finale as Matt Payne heads to Queensland Raceway with a 118-point advantage, aiming to secure the Repco Sprint Cup. Broc Feeney, fresh off last year's dominant run at the track, is tipped to shine in qualifying and win Race 26. Will Brown, debuting a new chassis at his most successful circuit, could break his winless streak. Payne, however, is expected to clinch the championship through consistency, with 27 cars including new wildcards elevating the drama and unpredictability of the weekend.
- Matt Payne holds a 118-point lead and is favored for the Sprint Cup.
- Broc Feeney is predicted to dominate qualifying at Queensland Raceway.
- Will Brown is tipped to break his winless streak with a strong performance.
Ipswich Super 400 Predictions (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)
Ipswich Super 440 2026 Preview & Predictions
Matt Payne is the pick to close out the Repco Sprint Cup at Queensland Raceway, while Will Brown looks capable of turning his season around with a race victory at the circuit where he last stood on the top step.
- Ipswich Super 440 2026 Preview & Predictions
- Ipswich Super 440 Qualifying Tips
- Ipswich Super 440 Race Tips
- Why Matt Payne Can Win the Sprint Cup
- Can Broc Feeney Produce Another Ipswich Masterclass?
- Will Brown's Chance to Finally Win in 2026
- Finals Battle Adds Another Layer
- Ipswich Super 440 Wildcards
- Ipswich Super 440 2026 Schedule
- How to Watch the Ipswich Super 440
- Ipswich Super 440 Predictions
Payne heads to Ipswich with a 118-point advantage over Broc Feeney and has the luxury of controlling his own destiny across the final three races of the Sprint Cup.
Queensland Raceway returns after producing plenty of drama in 2025, and its simple-looking 3.1km layout can be deceptive. Heavy braking, long straights and tight margins should make qualifying critical, while three additional wildcard entries expand the field to 27 cars.
Feeney dominated much of last year's weekend and remains the biggest threat, but Payne's championship position means he doesn't necessarily need to beat the Triple Eight driver. Expect Feeney and Brown to fight for individual victories, but Payne is backed to do enough across the weekend to secure the Golden Ticket and 25 bonus points.
- Matt Payne leads Broc Feeney by 118 points entering the Sprint Cup finale.
- 315 points are available, leaving Feeney and Cam Waters mathematically in contention.
- Broc Feeney took all three poles at Queensland Raceway in 2025.
- 27 cars will compete, with three wildcard entries joining the regular 24-car field.
Ipswich Super 440 Qualifying Tips
Broc Feeney is the driver to beat in qualifying at Queensland Raceway. He swept all three pole positions here last season and his record around the relatively uncomplicated Ipswich layout makes him difficult to oppose.
The circuit places a premium on braking confidence, traction and maximising the relatively small number of corners, meaning a tiny error can cost several grid positions. Feeney's 2025 performance provides the strongest benchmark, but Will Brown should also be dangerous with an unraced chassis and plenty of Queensland Raceway knowledge inside Triple Eight.
Qualifying Prediction: Broc Feeney to take pole position
Feeney's three-pole sweep last year makes him the obvious selection. Payne should be close, while Brown is the wildcard among the established contenders if his new chassis immediately addresses some of his 2026 struggles.
Ipswich Super 440 Race Tips
Matt Payne is tipped to leave Queensland Raceway as the 2026 Repco Sprint Cup champion, but Will Brown can break his winless run during the weekend.
Payne has built himself an excellent championship position. A 118-point buffer means the Penrite Racing driver doesn't need to chase every marginal opportunity, particularly if Feeney is ahead. Consistent podium and top-five finishes should be enough to secure the Sprint Cup and the valuable Golden Ticket into the Finals.
Feeney remains a major race-winning threat after his outstanding 2025 Ipswich weekend, while Brown is particularly interesting. His last Supercars victory came at this circuit 12 months ago and he arrives with a new chassis and greater clarity around the problems that have held him back this season.
Race Predictions:
Race 26: Broc Feeney
Race 27: Will Brown
Race 28: Matt Payne
Sprint Cup Champion: Matt Payne
Why Matt Payne Can Win the Sprint Cup
The equation strongly favours Payne. He carries a 118-point advantage over Feeney, while Waters is 275 points behind with only 315 available across the weekend.
That changes how Payne can approach Ipswich. Feeney effectively needs to attack, win races and hope Payne runs into trouble. Payne can prioritise clean qualifying sessions, bank strong results and avoid the sort of costly mistake or incident that could suddenly reopen the championship.
Payne has already established himself as the driver with the advantage heading into the finale. If Penrite Racing executes cleanly, the Sprint Cup is his to lose.
Can Broc Feeney Produce Another Ipswich Masterclass?
If there is one driver capable of putting Payne under pressure, it's Feeney.
Queensland Raceway was almost entirely his territory in 2025. He qualified on pole for all three races, won the opener and then finished behind his teammate in Race 2 after being hit with a jump-start penalty. He returned on Sunday and defeated Cam Waters to complete another victory.
Feeney ultimately used that weekend to secure the 2025 Sprint Cup.
The problem this time is the 118-point deficit. Even another dominant Ipswich performance might not be enough without Payne suffering a significant setback. Feeney needs to maximise qualifying, chase victories and force his rival into a defensive weekend.
Will Brown's Chance to Finally Win in 2026
Will Brown could be one of the most interesting drivers of the weekend.
Brown arrives with an unraced chassis as Triple Eight searches for answers following his difficult campaign. Queensland Raceway is also the scene of Brown's most recent victory, giving him an opportunity to reset his season at familiar territory.
A new chassis isn't automatically a solution, but Triple Eight's experience at Queensland Raceway combined with Brown's previous success makes him a genuine contender.
The prediction here is that Brown breaks his 2026 drought and wins one of the Saturday races.
Finals Battle Adds Another Layer
The Sprint Cup isn't the only important championship fight.
James Golding sits just 20 points outside the Finals cut-off, meaning every position could matter as drivers battle for seeding. Anton De Pasquale is also surging after a double podium in Perth and could potentially attack Brodie Kostecki's position, with only 55 points separating them according to the supplied information.
Rylan Gray is another driver worth watching after showing improved qualifying speed in Perth. His rookie day at Queensland Raceway earlier this year should also reduce the learning curve compared with some of his previous rounds.
With Finals places at stake, there is likely to be plenty of aggression throughout the midfield rather than only at the front.
Ipswich Super 440 Wildcards
The regular 24-car grid expands to 27 cars at Queensland Raceway.
Aaron Seton returns in the #30 Matt Stone Racing Camaro, while Bayley Hall makes his Supercars debut for Team 18 in the #15 Camaro ahead of his Enduro co-driving duties with Craig Lowndes. Ben Gomersall also makes his main-game debut in the #5 Tickford Autosport Mustang.
Last year's Queensland Raceway event showed what a wildcard can achieve when Zach Bates qualified fifth in the Top Ten Shootout. With three extra cars in the field this time, qualifying could again produce a surprise.
Ipswich Super 440 2026 Schedule
Friday, August 21
Practice – 2:40pm AEST
Saturday, August 22
Race 26 Qualifying – 10:05am
Race 27 Qualifying – 10:55am
Race 26 – 12:45pm, 39 laps
Race 27 – 4:15pm, 39 laps
Sunday, August 23
Race 28 Qualifying – 10:55am
Top Ten Shootout – 11:40am
Race 28 – 3:20pm, 62 laps
The Super 440 format features two 120km Saturday races followed by the longer 200km Sunday finale.
How to Watch the Ipswich Super 440
Australian viewers can watch the Ipswich Super 440 on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. New Zealand coverage is available through Sky Sport, while international viewers can use Supercars SuperView.
Ipswich Super 440 Predictions
Pole Position: Broc Feeney
Race 26 Winner: Broc Feeney
Race 27 Winner: Will Brown
Race 28 Winner: Matt Payne
Sprint Cup Champion: Matt Payne
Driver to Watch: Will Brown
Wildcard to Watch: Bayley Hall
Payne doesn't need to dominate Queensland Raceway. He needs to finish the job. A 118-point advantage provides breathing room, and the championship leader is backed to convert that advantage into the 2026 Repco Sprint Cup and the first Golden Ticket into the Finals.
Feeney should make him work for it, particularly given his remarkable record here last year, while Brown is the pick to produce the weekend's comeback story.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
17 August 2026
- Alex de Minaur vs Arthur Fery -
- Tennis
- Jakub Mensik vs Rinky Hijikata -
- Tennis
18 August 2026
- Amanda Anisimova vs Alexandra Eala -
- Tennis
- Grafton - August 18 -
- Horse Racing
- Ballarat Synthetic - August 18 -
- Horse Racing
- SD Raiders vs Sydney FC -
- Soccer
22 August 2026
- Ipswich Super 440 2026 -
- Motor Sport
- Winx Stakes -
- Horse Racing
Load More
