Richard Craill has been appointed as the permanent play-by-play commentator for the Repco Supercars Championship, becoming the new voice of Supercars. Craill’s extensive experience in Australasian motorsport commentary includes covering the Australian Grand Prix, the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, Shannons Speedseries, and New Zealand’s Repco NextGen Championship. He is set to officially begin his new role at the upcoming NTI Townsville 500.
Joining Craill in the commentary booth for all Supercars races will be six-time Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander, who will serve as the colour analyst. The broadcast plans also include occasional guest commentary appearances from former Supercars champions such as James Courtney and Mark Winterbottom.
Craill’s career milestone
Craill expressed that this opportunity is a culmination of his entire career, something he never fully anticipated. He noted that his motorsport heroes included not only the drivers he followed but also the iconic broadcasters who narrated their stories. Craill views this role as a chance to follow in their footsteps and aims to do justice to those who have supported him and the sport.
The Barossa Valley native is a familiar voice to race fans, having previously featured in support race commentary for Supercars broadcasts over many years. He also took on the lead play-by-play duties at the ITM New Zealand Double Header in Taupō and Christchurch earlier in the year.
Craill highlighted the current competitive landscape of Supercars, describing it as an incredible time to step into the commentary role. He enjoys the racing and the contests, but particularly values the stories that the sport generates. He noted the unpredictability of race outcomes, where the winners of trophies are often unknown going into each weekend, which he believes is beneficial for those at the track and watching at home.
Commentary team adjustments
Fellow commentators Chad Neylon and Matt Naulty, who have shared Supercars play-by-play responsibilities during the 2026 season, will continue to be prominent figures in the broadcasts. Neylon is expected to take on an enhanced on-screen role, while both he and Naulty will continue to present Supercars sessions and support races.
Neylon shared his thoughts on the appointment, expressing support for Craill despite not securing the full-time play-by-play position himself. He described Craill as a close friend and one of life’s great people, acknowledging their shared journey in motorsport commentary alongside Naulty. Neylon believes Craill is the best person for the job and encouraged everyone to support him.
While admitting disappointment, Neylon also expressed gratitude for being part of the sport he loves, noting the privilege of travelling the country with friends to cover car racing. He is also looking forward to increased responsibilities within the broadcast, including grid and paddock walks, and is keen to explore opportunities in other sports and media training.
The NTI Townsville 500 will feature three days of racing, with North Queensland’s largest annual sporting event taking place from July 10-12. Live coverage from Townsville will be available on Fox Sports via Kayo SPORTS, with free-to-air coverage on Seven and 7plus for the final two days of the event.
Source: supercars.com
