Young Kiwi driver Ben Stewart returned to action in the 2026 Toyota GR Cup Australia Championship at Reid Park Street Circuit in Townsville last weekend, delivering a podium finish and two top-10 results as the series resumed after a lengthy break between the opening two rounds.
Stewart made an immediate impression in Saturday morning qualifying, securing fourth on the grid for Race 1 alongside Zane Rinaldi. With Brock Stinson on pole and Pip Casabene alongside on the front row, Stewart launched well off the line, holding his position while Rinaldi slipped backwards. By the end of the opening lap, the Kiwi had moved into third place, slotting ahead of Liam Gerges as Casabene took the early race lead.
Stewart remained firmly in podium contention throughout the race before entering a fierce battle with Gerges. After Gerges moved into third, Stewart attempted a switchback at Turn 11, with the pair making contact. The incident forced Gerges wide, costing him several positions before he later stopped on the circuit with suspected steering damage.
Despite the drama, Stewart continued his strong drive to claim third place at the chequered flag, securing his first podium finish of the weekend. Ahead of him, Stinson fought back to claim victory after an entertaining battle with Casabene, who finished second.
Lining up third for Race 2 following his podium result, Stewart started alongside Cooper Barnes but lost a position off the line as Barnes edged ahead into Turn 1. While Stinson again controlled the early stages, an intense battle for the lead unfolded between Stinson, Barnes and Casabene.
With just over 13 minutes remaining, Barnes challenged Stinson for the lead, allowing Casabene to capitalise as both cars ran wide. Casabene briefly took the lead before Barnes reclaimed the position with another decisive move, while Stinson settled into third.
Running in fourth, Stewart was unable to bridge the gap to the leading trio as the closing stages unfolded. Although he remained within striking distance early on, the margin to Stinson stretched to 2.6 seconds by the finish, leaving Stewart just outside the podium in fourth. Barnes claimed the victory ahead of Casabene, with Stinson completing the podium.
Stewart started the final race of the weekend from fourth on the grid, with Barnes and Casabene leading the field away for the last race in Townsville. The opening laps were clean for the Kiwi as several midfield runners battled aggressively for position, kicking up dust after running wide at various points around the circuit.
The complexion of Stewart’s race changed on lap three when he became embroiled in a three-car fight with Szewczuk and Gibbons. Losing out in the battle, Stewart dropped to sixth before Rinaldi also found a way through, pushing the Kiwi back to seventh.
As the race progressed, Stewart struggled to regain momentum, slipping further down the order after being passed by Gerges and Demellweek. He ultimately crossed the line in eighth place, capping off a challenging final race after being shuffled back through the pack.
Despite the difficult conclusion to the weekend, Stewart leaves Townsville with a valuable podium finish, another top-four result and a solid haul of championship points as he continues his rookie Toyota GR Cup Australia campaign. The championship now heads to Queensland Raceway for Round 3 on August 21-23.
Header Image: Ninety9 Motorsport
