KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 5-9 MARCH WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
From Phoenix to Melbourne and Indianapolis, Kiwi drivers and riders are back in action across multiple continents this weekend.
Shane van Gisbergen takes on Round 4 of the NASCAR Cup Series at Phoenix, while Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon and Marcus Armstrong continue their IndyCar campaigns at the same venue.
Cole Davies races Round 3 of the AMA Supercross 250SX East Championship in Indianapolis.
In Melbourne, Liam Lawson kicks off his Formula 1 season, Louis Sharp debuts in Formula 3, and Kiwi drivers Matt Payne, Ryan Wood and Andre Heimgartner hit the track in Supercars. Meanwhile, Clay Osborne and Tom Bewley begin their Porsche Carrera Cup Australia campaigns.
It’s another packed weekend of Kiwi motorsport, with action across cars and bikes around the globe.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Phoenix Raceway, Arizona
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Sunday 6:00 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 7:10 AM
- Race: Monday 8:30 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
Shane van Gisbergen heads to Phoenix Raceway for Round 4 of the NASCAR Cup Series brimming with confidence after a standout double-duty weekend at Circuit of the Americas.
The Kiwi was unstoppable in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, leading 31 laps and executing a series of bold overtakes, including a decisive late restart move through Turn 1, to secure his first COTA victory.
Backing it up in the Cup Series, van Gisbergen charged from 13th to the front pack, battling persistent left-rear grip issues all afternoon. He pressured Tyler Reddick in the closing laps and ran within three-tenths of the lead before tyre wear forced him to settle for a hard-fought second place.
After three rounds, van Gisbergen sits fifth in the championship on 90 points and firmly in contention.
➡️ COTA O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race Recap HERE
➡️ COTA Cup Series Race Recap HERE
With momentum on his side, the focus now shifts from Texas road course finesse to the tight, flat oval challenge of Phoenix.
Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon & Marcus Armstrong | NTT IndyCar Series
- Where? Phoenix Raceway, Arizona
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Saturday 4:00 AM
- Qualifying: Saturday 8:00 AM
- Race: Sunday 9:00 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
New Zealand’s IndyCar trio head to Phoenix Raceway for Round 2 of the IndyCar Series season — a double-header weekend alongside NASCAR — following a dramatic opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg.
Scott McLaughlin set the tone in Florida, leading the field to green and controlling much of the early race before strategy shuffled the order. The Team Penske driver fought his way back into contention late, using his push-to-pass advantage to reclaim second in the closing laps and secure a strong podium finish behind a dominant Alex Palou.
Marcus Armstrong showed serious pace throughout the race, surging to fourth on the opening lap and running firmly inside the lead group during the opening stints. Strategy and a fierce mid-race battle dropped him down the order late on, eventually crossing the line in 11th after an afternoon that promised more.
For Scott Dixon, it was a race of highs and heartbreak. The Chip Ganassi Racing veteran rolled the strategy dice early, cycling through tyres under caution to open up fuel options for the long game. He had climbed back into contention when an uncharacteristic loose wheel in pit lane ended his race prematurely.
➡️Grand Prix of St.Petersburg Full Recap HERE
Now, the focus shifts from the tight, technical street circuit of St. Petersburg to the flat oval challenge of Phoenix. With McLaughlin already on the podium, Armstrong showing front-running speed, and Dixon eager to rebound, the Kiwi trio arrive in Arizona ready to make their mark on the first oval test of 2026.
Cole Davies | AMA Supercross
- Where? Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
- NZ Times:
- Qualifying 1: Sunday 6:30 AM – 7:16 AM
- Qualifying 2: Sunday 8:27 AM – 9:13 AM
- Last Chance Qualifier: Sunday 10:19 AM
- Heat 1: Sunday 1:06 PM
- Heat 2: Sunday 2:12 PM
- Main Race: Sunday 3:09 PM
- How to Watch? Super Motocross Video Pass
Cole Davies heads to Indianapolis for Round 3 of the AMA Supercross Championship carrying momentum — and unfinished business — after a gritty podium ride at Daytona International Speedway.
The Kiwi rising star charged from 12th on the opening lap of the 250SX East main event to finish second, crossing the line just four seconds shy of victory. It was another statement ride at one of Supercross’ most iconic venues, but Davies made it clear he wants more.
Qualifying proved challenging, and a slow start in the heat race briefly dropped him to fifth before he recovered to third. In the main event, a “terrible start” forced him into damage limitation mode, slicing his way through the pack with smart, adaptive riding as the notoriously evolving Daytona surface caught others out.
“We wrapped up Daytona with a 2nd place in the Main Event. A decent result, but it’s not where I want to be,” Davies said.
Now fourth in the championship on 39 points, Davies knows the missing piece is clear: starts. With the pace to match anyone in the 250SX East field, a clean launch in Indianapolis could be the difference between another charge through traffic and standing on the top step.
Liam Lawson | Formula 1
- Where? Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 2:30 PM
- Practice 2: Friday 6:00 PM
- Practice 3: Saturday 2:30 PM
- Qualifying: Saturday 6:00 PM
- Grand Prix: Sunday 5:00 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports and F1TV
Kiwi Formula 1 star Liam Lawson is set to kick off the 2026 season at the Australian Grand Prix with Racing Bulls, ready to tackle Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit alongside new teammate Arvid Lindblad.
After a strong finish to last year’s championship, Lawson arrives in Australia focused on building momentum from the first round. The challenging street-circuit layout, with its mix of tight corners and fast-flowing sections, will put both driver and car to the test, offering Lawson a chance to extract maximum performance early in the campaign.
The addition of Lindblad to Racing Bulls adds a fresh dynamic to the team, and the Kiwi will be keen to establish himself as the benchmark within the garage while adapting to any updates the team has made during the off-season.
With pre-season testing completed and the sights firmly set on the podium, Lawson’s weekend in Melbourne promises to be a key moment in his 2026 championship challenge. Fans will be watching closely as he looks to continue New Zealand’s proud Formula 1 tradition on the global stage.
Louis Sharp | Formula 3
- Where? Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Friday 10:50 AM
- Qualifying: Friday 4:00 PM
- Race 1: Saturday 1:15 PM
- Race 2: Sunday 10:50 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports and F1TV
Kiwi rising star Louis Sharp takes the next step in his single-seater career, joining Prema Racing for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. After a challenging rookie season with Rodin Motorsport, which included standout performances at Monaco, Imola, and Hungary, Sharp moves to the Italian powerhouse, ready to turn flashes of speed into consistent results.
Prema Racing, renowned for developing future Formula 1 stars like Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri, offers Sharp a fresh start. The team struggled in 2025, finishing seventh in the Teams’ Championship, and Sharp’s arrival adds pace and experience to help them rebound.
The season kicks off at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where Sharp will debut the Prema livery. After a year of learning and growth, the 18-year-old Kiwi is focused on strong points finishes, podiums, and building momentum in a proven championship-winning environment.
Matt Payne, Ryan Wood & Andre Heimgartner | Supercars
- Where? Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Thursday 12:35 PM
- Practice 2: Thursday 2:25 PM
- Qualifying (Race 4): Thursday 4:20 PM
- Qualifying (Race 5): Thursday 4:42 PM
- Race 4: Thursday 7:00 PM
- Race 5: Friday 7:30 PM
- Qualifying (Race 6): Saturday 11:00 AM
- Qualifying (Race 7): Saturday 11:22 AM
- Race 6: Saturday 7:35 PM
- Race 7: Sunday 12:10 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
After a thrilling and unpredictable opener at the Sydney 500, Kiwi Supercars drivers Matt Payne, Andre Heimgartner, and Ryan Wood are gearing up for Round 2 of the 2026 championship, this time as part of the Australian Grand Prix support programme at Melbourne’s Albert Park.
The season opener was a weekend of highs and lows for the Kiwi trio. Matt Payne emerged as the standout, finishing fourth, third, and second across the three races, securing back-to-back podiums and immediately establishing himself as a championship contender. Payne’s weekend was marked by smart overtakes, strategic pit stops, and a strong recovery drive in Race 3, highlighting his pace and consistency.
Andre Heimgartner faced mixed fortunes. He recovered well from a difficult Race 1 start, battled mechanical gremlins, and despite penalties in Race 3, still managed to fight through the field to score points in all three races. His resilience will be key as he heads to Melbourne’s street circuit, where tyre management and track position are critical.
Ryan Wood endured a challenging opener, with a poor start in Race 1 and battles in the midfield across all three races. However, he showed strong pace and determination, culminating in a fifth-place finish in Race 3 and proving he can contend with the frontrunners when strategy and opportunity align.
➡️Sydney 500 Race 1 Full Recap HERE
➡️Sydney 500 Race 2 Full Recap HERE
➡️Sydney 500 Race 3 Full Recap HERE
Melbourne will present a different challenge. The Albert Park layout combines fast-flowing sections with tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities, making qualifying performance and strategic calls more important than ever. For the Kiwi drivers, it’s an opportunity to continue the momentum built in Sydney and stake their claim in the early championship standings.
As the Supercars field joins the glamour and spectacle of the Formula 1 support programme, fans can expect door-to-door battles, strategic pit stops, and plenty of Kiwi grit on display over the Melbourne Supersprint weekend. With Payne in particular carrying early-season momentum and Heimgartner and Wood hungry to climb the order, it promises to be another thrilling weekend of Kiwi motorsport action.
Clay Osborne & Tom Bewley | Porsche Carrera Cup Australia
- Where? Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Thursday 11:45 AM
- Qualifying: Thursday 1:35 PM
- Race 1: Thursday 5:35 PM
- Race 2: Friday 8:30 PM
- Race 3: Saturday 8:40 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
Kiwi Porsche drivers Tom Bewley and Clay Osborne are set for a busy 2026 season in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, competing as part of the Formula 1 support programme at Albert Park, Melbourne.
Tom Bewley steps up as the 2026 Carrera Cup scholarship driver with Team Porsche New Zealand, taking the lead scholarship seat after a strong 2025 season in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, where he finished third. Bewley follows a path trodden by previous scholarship graduates such as Callum Hedge and is eager to tackle tougher competition, new tracks, and the challenges of top-tier one-make racing.
“I’m really looking forward to being back with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport,” Bewley said.
“Carrera Cup will be a great step up, and I’m excited to learn and compete at a higher level.”
Clay Osborne makes the move to TekworkX Motorsport for 2026, leaving McElrea Racing to take on another full Carrera Cup Australia season. The Kiwi driver brings prior series experience and aims to hit the ground running with his new team, targeting strong results in the competitive one-make category.
Both drivers benefit from the support and mentorship of Earl Bamber, two-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner and former Porsche Factory Driver, ensuring they have the tools to adapt and excel as the 2026 season unfolds. Bewley and Osborne are expected to be front-runners and showcase Kiwi talent on the Australian grid this weekend and beyond.
Header Image: Sona Maleterova/Getty Images via Red Bull Content Pool
