Star rookie Zach Bates will remain with Matt Stone Racing after signing a multi-year deal with the team featuring continued support by brake manufacturer Bendix.
Bates has impressed throughout his maiden Repco Supercars Championship campaigned highlighted by securing pole position and podium at the Bathurst 1000.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Matt and everyone at MSR for putting their faith in me and giving me the opportunity to make the step into a full-time Supercars seat,” Bates said.
“It’s been a massive learning experience, and I’ve been fortunate to have such a strong group around me to help me develop throughout the season.
“To achieve what we did at Bathurst in my first year shows what’s possible, and I’m hungry for more.
“I’m really excited to have my future locked in with MSR and Bendix Racing.
“We’ve already achieved some pretty special things together, and I’m looking forward to coming back swinging in 2027 with more experience under my belt.
“We’re only just getting started.”
Following his win in the 2024 Super2 Series, Bates completed the Triple Eight Wildcard program alongside Craig Lowndes before receiving the opportunity to step up to a full-time seat with Matt Stone Racing.
Outside of his Bathurst result, Bates sits 16th in the championship and has put in some notable qualifying performances of which eponymous team owner Matt Stone recognised.
“Zach has shown enormous potential in his first season, and what he achieved at Bathurst was a fantastic reward for the work he and the entire team have put in,” said Stone.
“We knew he had the talent coming into the year, but to see him step up against some of the best in the world and deliver results like that has been incredibly rewarding for everyone in the garage and back at the workshop.
“We’re really pleased to have Zach committed to MSR in a multi-year deal, and equally proud to have Bendix continuing alongside us. Having that stability across both our driver lineup and our key partnerships allows us to keep building on the foundations we’ve put in place.
“Bendix has been a fantastic partner over the last three years, and we’re grateful for the trust they continue to place in us. We’ve shared some special moments this season, particularly at Bathurst, and we’re looking forward to creating plenty more together.”
The continued support of Bendix comes after its United States-based parent company First Brands Group entered voluntary administration.