KIWIS RACING ABROAD | 17-20 APRIL WEEKEND PREVIEW 🏁
It’s another packed weekend of global motorsport action, with Kiwi drivers competing across Supercars, NASCAR, IndyCar, WEC, and Porsche Carrera Cup North America as events unfold in New Zealand, the United States, and Europe.
The Supercars Championship continues its New Zealand double-header, heading to Ruapuna Motorsport Park for Round 4 of the 2026 season. A strong Kiwi contingent will again be in the spotlight, with Matt Payne leading the charge for Grove Racing, while rising talent Ryan Wood represents Walkinshaw TWG Racing. Andre Heimgartner will also be one to watch as he lines up with Brad Jones Racing on home soil.
Over in the United States, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway for Round 9 of the season. Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen continues his second full-time campaign with Trackhouse Racing, taking on the high-speed intermediate oval as he builds further experience on ovals.
Also stateside, the IndyCar Series returns to the streets for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, one of the most iconic events on the calendar. Scott McLaughlin will be aiming to continue his strong form with Team Penske, while six-time champion Scott Dixon once again looms as a contender for Chip Ganassi Racing. Marcus Armstrong also returns to the grid with Meyer Shank Racing, continuing his rising development in the series.
In Europe, the FIA World Endurance Championship begins its 2026 campaign with the 6 Hours of Imola at the historic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Kiwi talent is well represented, with Earl Bamber competing for Cadillac Hertz Team Jota, Brendon Hartley continuing with Toyota Racing, and Nick Cassidy lining up with Peugeot TotalEnergies in what is shaping up as a highly competitive endurance field.
Back in Long Beach, the Porsche Carrera Cup North America supports the IndyCar weekend, with Callum Hedge contesting Round 2 of the season with JDX Racing as he continues his rise through the international ranks.
From home support in Christchurch to the streets of Long Beach, the high speeds of Kansas, and the historic challenge of Imola, Kiwi drivers are once again flying the flag across the globe in what promises to be another action-packed weekend of motorsport.
Check out our detailed weekend preview below for everything you need to know, including session times, how to watch, and who’s racing where. ⬇️
Ryan Wood, Matt Payne & Andre Heimgartner | Supercars
- Where? Ruapuna Motorsport Park, Christchurch
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Friday 9:35 AM
- Qualifying (Race 10): Friday 2:15 PM
- Race 10: Friday 4:35 PM
- Qualifying (Race 11): Saturday 10:05 AM
- Qualifying (Race 12): Saturday 11:00 AM
- Race 11: Saturday 12:45 PM
- Race 12: Saturday 4:10 PM
- Qualifying (Race 13): Sunday 11:50 AM
- Top Ten Shootout: Sunday 12:45 PM
- Race 13: Sunday 3:05 PM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
After an action-packed weekend at Taupō, the Supercars Championship now heads to Ruapuna Motorsport Park for the second leg of its New Zealand double-header, with Kiwi drivers carrying momentum and unfinished business into Round 4.
Ryan Wood was the headline act, backing up a strong Race 1 drive to third with a breakthrough victory in Race 2 from pole. After controlling much of the race, Wood made a decisive late move to reclaim the lead before pulling clear to secure his maiden Supercars win, also delivering Toyota’s first victory in the category.
Matt Payne showed strong pace throughout the weekend, running inside the top five in both races. A five-second penalty in Race 1 dropped him from a potential podium fight to fifth, while another solid drive in Race 2 saw him again finish inside the top five.
For Andre Heimgartner, it was a tougher outing. Despite running competitively inside the top ten at times, he ultimately came away with a pair of 12th-place finishes and will be looking to convert that speed into stronger results this weekend.
➡️ Taupō Race 8 Recap HERE
➡️ Taupō Race 9 Recap HERE
With Wood arriving in Christchurch full of confidence, Payne continuing to show consistency, and Heimgartner eager to rebound, the focus now shifts to Ruapuna — where another passionate home crowd awaits, and Kiwi drivers will be aiming to shine once again.
Shane Van Gisbergen | NASCAR Cup Series
- Where? Kansas Speedway, Kansas
- NZ Times:
- Practice: Sunday 8:00 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 9:10 AM
- Race: Monday 6:00 AM
- How to Watch? ThreeNow
After a tough outing at Bristol Motor Speedway, Shane van Gisbergen now turns his focus to Kansas Speedway as the NASCAR Cup Series continues this weekend.
Bristol was a challenging race from the outset. Starting 33rd, van Gisbergen struggled for track position early and went a lap down in the opening stage. He showed some improvement in Stage 2, working his way forward, but his race took a hit after a spin brought on a multi-car incident.
The resulting damage forced multiple pit stops for repairs, leaving him well down the order. Despite getting back out and running to the finish, he was classified 34th. The result sees him sit 16th in the standings, just one point outside the playoff cut line.
➡️Bristol Motor Speedway Recap HERE
Kansas presents a different type of track and a chance to move on quickly. With a more open layout and fewer interruptions, it gives van Gisbergen an opportunity to settle into a rhythm and aim for a cleaner weekend as he continues his rookie season.
Scott McLaughlin, Scott Dixon & Marcus Armstrong | NTT IndyCar Series
- Where? Streets of Long Beach, California
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 10:00 AM
- Practice 2: Sunday 5:30 AM
- Qualifying: Sunday 10:30 AM
- Race: Monday 9:30 AM
- How to Watch? Sky Sports
After a two-week break, Kiwi drivers return to the IndyCar Series, moving on from Barber Motorsports Park to the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend.
Barber was a steady race for the Kiwi trio. Marcus Armstrong led the way with a consistent run near the front, finishing sixth after holding position inside the top group for most of the race. Scott Dixon worked his way forward through strategy and race pace to finish seventh, backing up the strong speed shown across the weekend.
It was a tougher day for Scott McLaughlin. He made some early progress but slipped back in the later stages and came home 16th after a difficult final stint.
➡️ Barber Motorsports Park Recap HERE
Now the focus shifts to Long Beach, which brings a very different style of racing. With tight margins and track position playing a big role, it’s a chance for all three to reset and look for a cleaner weekend as the season continues.
Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley & Nick Cassidy | FIA World Endurance Championship
- Where? Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Italy
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Friday 8:15 PM
- Practice 2: Saturday 1:15 AM
- Practice 3: Saturday 8:30 PM
- Qualifying: Sunday 1:10 AM
- Hyperpole: Sunday 1:30 AM
- Race: Sunday 11:00 PM
- How to Watch? FIAWEC+ ($100 NZD for the season pass or $19.95 for 6 Hours of Imola coverage)
After a disrupted start to the season, Kiwi drivers now head into Round 1 of the FIA World Endurance Championship at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari for the 6 Hours of Imola, which effectively becomes the opening round after Qatar was postponed.
That change means the championship finally gets underway in Europe, with attention on the Kiwi trio of Earl Bamber, Brendon Hartley, and Nick Cassidy.
It’s a notable weekend for Cassidy, making his debut with Peugeot TotalEnergies. The Imola round will be his first proper hit-out in the series with the team, so the focus will be on settling in and getting through a clean opening race.
Bamber continues in the Hypercar field and will be aiming for a solid start to his campaign with Cadillac Hertz Team Jota , while Hartley remains a key part of Toyota’s endurance lineup as they target another strong season.
With no race in Qatar to set the tone, Imola becomes a straight test of preparation and reliability over six hours. For the Kiwi drivers, it’s a fresh start to the year and the first real chance to see where they stack up.
Callum Hedge | Porsche Carrera Cup North America
- Where? Streets of Long Beach, California
- NZ Times:
- Practice 1: Saturday 2:45 AM
- Practice 2: Saturday 6:45 AM
- Qualifying: Saturday 11:40 AM
- Race 1: Sunday 4:05 AM
- Race 2: Monday 6:20 AM
- How to Watch? IMSA Official YouTube Channel
After a strong opening round, Kiwi driver Callum Hedge heads into Round 2 of the Porsche Carrera Cup North America at the Streets of Long Beach with JDX Racing.
Hedge got his season underway three weeks ago at Sebring International Raceway, where he showed solid pace on his return to Porsche competition. He ran inside the top five in both races and came away with a podium in Race 2, putting him third in the championship after the opening round.
It was a steady start back in the category, with Hedge quickly getting comfortable again in the car and fighting near the front throughout the weekend.
➡️ Sebring Round 1 Recap HERE
Long Beach now presents a different test. The street circuit is tight and unforgiving, with qualifying and track position likely to play a bigger role than at Sebring.
Hedge goes into the weekend with a bit of momentum and will be aiming to build on his opening round and stay in the mix at the front of the field.
Header Image: Supplied
