Zach Bates Signs Multi-Year Deal With Matt Stone
Bates secured a future in Supercars with Matt Stone Racing, which extended its naming rights partnership with Bendix through at least 2028.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Motorsports
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Zach Bates has signed a multi-year contract with Matt Stone Racing for the Supercars series. The team has also confirmed Bendix will continue as its naming rights sponsor through at least 2028.
Why it matters
The deal secures a driver who took pole position at the 2026 Bathurst 1000 a place in the team's future line-up. The continued Bendix partnership provides stability for the team's sponsorship base.
Bates took pole position and finished third in the Great Race at the 2026 Bathurst 1000, and won the Super2 Series in 2024. The terms of his multi-year contract and the length of the Bendix sponsorship beyond 2028 have not been detailed.
The players
Zach Bates
Canberra-born Supercars driver who won the Super2 Series in 2024 and joined Matt Stone Racing in 2026.
Matt Stone Racing
Supercars team that signed Bates to a multi-year deal and continues its naming rights partnership with Bendix.
Bendix
Brake products brand that remains the naming rights sponsor of Matt Stone Racing and the #10 Chevrolet Camaro.
The details
Bates made his Supercars debut in 2025 as a Triple Eight wildcard at Queensland Raceway before joining Matt Stone Racing in 2026. Bendix will remain on the #10 Chevrolet Camaro, though the sponsor is reportedly in voluntary administration following the collapse of First Brands Group.
Timeline
2024: Bates won the Super2 Series.
2025: Bates made his Supercars debut as a Triple Eight wildcard.
2026: Bates joined Matt Stone Racing and took pole at the Bathurst 1000.
Sponsorship with Bendix continues through at least 2028.
Bates' team continues at the Sandown 500 on 6-8 November.
Season Trajectory
Bates' pole position and third-place Great Race finish at the 2026 Bathurst 1000 underpin his move to Matt Stone Racing for the next stage of his Supercars career. The continuity of the Bendix partnership through at least 2028 gives the team a stable sponsorship base as it looks ahead to the 2027 season.
Fans following Supercars can track Bates' 2027 campaign with Matt Stone Racing, as the team's line-up is now set for the coming season. Bendix's continued sponsorship also means the #10 Chevrolet Camaro livery will remain a constant on track.
The takeaway
Stable sponsorship and driver contracts give Supercars teams the time needed to plan multi-season campaigns. Following a team's sponsor and driver announcements is a practical way to track the grid's future line-up.
What happens next
Bates is set to return in 2027 and the Sandown 500 runs on 6-8 November.
Further reading
Explore more Australia Motorsports coverage for context on the Supercars series.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Speedcafe.
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