Stewart thrilled to be best of the rest
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 23 July 2025
As Tickford takes its Super2 domination to new levels, finishing best of the rest is an achievement, and Image Racing’s Jobe Stewart chose a timely moment to do just that.
Stewart emerged fifth in the latest Super2 round at Townsville as the leading non-Tickford driver with seventh and fifth place finishes.
In addition to these solid results, he shot out of the gates on Friday and even challenged Rylan Gray for a podium place before the Tickford Mustangs charged into the distance.
These results were timely for Stewart and not just because he was sitting a lowly 13th in the standings, but also because his Supercars debut is creeping ever closer.
After a tough trip to Tasmania for the entire Image Racing stable, the team were delighted to have some pace ahead of the second half of the season.
For Stewart and teammate Jarrod Hughes especially, it is a welcome confidence boost as their maiden taste of Supercars approaches in the enduros with Erebus.
“We were all really happy that we maximised what we could do in the races,” Stewart told Auto Action.
“In Tasmania we were at the back from practice and never really worked it out after throwing everything at it and at Townsville, we went back to what we knew.
“So to even just come out first, third, and four straight out on Friday morning was a massive confidence booster.
“That set the tone for the whole weekend and ran with what we know and it was great to be competitive again.
“After Tasmania, the team was pretty down, but now everyone has lifted and it is great.”
Despite being 6s and 24s off the nearest Tickford cars ahead in the races, Stewart felt he achieved as much as he could in Townsville, but hopes more will be possible at Queensland Raceway where Super2 has not raced at since 2019.
“I had a pretty good start in Race 2 and tried to save the tyres as much as we could, but did not have as good tyre life as the other Mustangs,” Stewart said.
“It has been two rounds now that the results have been pretty much the same so we need to have a think about what we can do before Queensland Raceway.
“Hopefully, we can continue this momentum.”
Image: Erebus
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