DJR showing resurgence going into bathurst
Shell V-Power Racing Team Makes Gains at Penrite Oil Sandown 500
The Shell V-Power Racing Team continued its journey to salvage the 2023 Supercars season at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, showcasing improved performance as both drivers moved up the leaderboard. After the OTR SuperSprint, Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale were in 10th and 12th positions, respectively, with DJR sitting at sixth in the teams' championship.
During the race at Sandown, the Davison brothers, Will and Alex, raced the #17 Dick Johnson Racing Ford to a commendable seventh place. The #11 car driven by De Pasquale and Tony D’Alberto closely followed in eighth, despite starting 20th.
This strong performance propelled Davison and De Pasquale to ninth and equal 10th positions in the standings, while DJR leaped ahead of Tickford Racing and Walkinshaw Andretti United, securing the fourth spot.
Comparing their recent performance to their struggles in Newcastle, where the team sat in 10th place and Davison and De Pasquale were 16th and 17th, the progress is evident. Even at Albert Park, where they were positioned at ninth and 11th, respectively, with De Pasquale encountering a crash, the team has shown significant improvement.
Reflecting on the Sandown race, Will Davison expressed a mix of satisfaction and determination to improve further. He acknowledged the balance challenges the team faced with the car throughout the weekend but commended the team's perseverance. Davison's impressive performance during the Top Ten Shootout saw him secure the fourth position, setting a positive tone for the upcoming races.
The team's fortune took a turn for the better after a pre-Darwin test, with both drivers achieving podium finishes, including De Pasquale's victory in Townsville, and a total of six top 10 finishes out of 11 starts.
Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for the Repco Bathurst 1000, a significant event where DJR will be running a wildcard entry featuring the returning Simona De Silvestro and Super2 rookie Kai Allen. The anticipation builds for this prestigious race, and the team remains focused on continuous improvement and aiming for more positive outcomes in the remaining races of the season.
