DJR signs Kostecki, keeps Davison

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 29 August 2024

Reigning Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki has made the big switch from Chevrolet to Ford, signing as the new star of Dick Johnson Racing.

After having a tough year since winning a maiden Supercars championship with Erebus, Kostecki heads to the famous Ford squad to replace the Team 18 bound Anton De Pasquale.

In addition to the major announcement, DJR has also confirmed Will Davison will carry on racing the iconic #17 Mustang.

With now the two coveted DJR seats locked away, attention in the fast-developing silly season switches to Erebus, PremiAir and BJR.

Whilst leaving Erebus is no surprise considering the events at the start of the year, the move to DJR is a significant moment in the career of Kostecki, as it will be his first major team change ever in Supercars.

The 26-year-old made his enduro debut in his own Kostecki Brothers wildcard in 2019, which led to an enduro drive alongside De Pasquale the following season and a step up to the main game in 2021.

Having shown flashes of promise across his first two years, Kostecki enjoyed a breakthrough 2023 where he went from scoring his first race win at Albert Park to being the champion.

Dick Johnson and Brodie Kostecki are joining forces.

His relationship with Erebus then turned sour in the aftermath and a dispute kept the #1 away for the first two rounds of 2024.

Since returning at Taupo, Kostecki has achieved four top 10 finishes from 12 races with a third place at Darwin.

Kostecki hopes a “new chapter” at DJR will help him get back to his best.

“I am excited to join the Shell V-Power Racing Team, a team with such a rich history of success,” Kostecki said.

“This partnership represents a new chapter for me, and I look forward to working alongside Will and the entire team.”

Having had a long history of fielding champion drivers from John Bowe, Glenn Seton, James Courtney, Marcos Ambrose and Scott McLaughlin, five-time champion himself Dick Johnson cannot wait to welcome Kostecki.

“Brodie is one of the top drivers in the series and we’re excited to bring him on board the Shell V-Power Racing Team,” Johnson said.

“He’s an impressive young man and I’ve certainly got a soft spot for anyone who has as much mechanical sympathy and understanding of the car as he does.

“With the combination of Will and Brodie, we look forward to chasing wins and returning to the top next season!”

STICKING WITH DAVISON

Will Davison’s first V8 Supercars season with DJR was in 2006. Image: Mark Horsburgh/LAT Photographic

For Davison, it will be the continuation of a long and successful partnership with DJR.

His first full time season was with the Ford squad all the way back in 2006 and two years later he scored his first win at Eastern Creek in the #18 Falcon.

After six team changes across 11 years, Davison returned to where it all began in 2021.

He was a prolific podium getter across the first two years in particular, collecting 24 trophies in that period highlighted by three wins at three different tracks in 2022.

Will Davison delighted with a special Sunday Pole at SMP this year. Image: mark Horsburgh

Whilst the last two years in Gen3 have been tougher, Davson has still fought hard to be get two podiums and currently sits seventh in the championship, three spots higher than De Pasquale.

Davison is delighted to race an eighth season with DJR.

“I’m proud and excited to continue with the Shell V-Power Racing Team which feels like home and holds a special place in my heart,” Davison said.

“We know we have a strong foundation within our group, and we will be pushing and doing whatever it takes to get ourselves back on top.

“I’m looking forward to working with Brodie, I know he’ll be a great addition to the DJR family.”

‘STATEMENT OF INTENT’

Will Davison leads Anton De Pasquale at Perth this year. Image: Mark Horsburgh

DJR Team Principal Ryan Story believes the signing of Kostecki is a “clear statement of intent”.

He admitted it was a “hard decision to let Anton go” after three years together.

However, Story feels DJR now has one of the best driver line ups on the grid.

“Our 2025 line-up is one of the best on the grid and a clear statement of intent from us and the commitment we have to our organisation, partners and supporters for the future,” Story said.

“Together, Will and Brodie will push each other further and make each other better.

“We acknowledge and thank Anton De Pasquale for his contribution to the team and wish him well for the future.

“The hard decision was to let Anton go, the easy decision was to pair Will and Brodie together.”

WHAT IS NEXT?

The latest piece of the 2025 silly season puzzle confirms the long-time rumours that Kostecki was departing Erebus, less than a year after their famous title in 2023.

Following the dispute over the off season that led to the #1 Camaro being sidelined for the first two rounds, it was clear Kostecki was on the move, but the big mystery was where?

The driver known as “Bush” had been strongly linked with PremiAir Racing, but has decided to turn to the only team other than Erebus to beat Triple Eight in the last nine years, DJR.

Despite losing its lead driver, Erebus is poised to announce Cooper Murray as a fresh face to join Jack Le Brocq.

The most intrigue surrounds PremiAir, who is expected to retain incumbent James Golding, but there is more mystery over Tim Slade’s seat.

At Brad Jones Racing and Blanchard Racing Team, the status quo is expected to be retained with confirmation pending on Macauley Jones.

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