DICK Johnson Racing team principal Ryan Story remains optimistic that the potential is there for his famous Ford squad to bounce back soon.
There was again split fortunes between DJR’s drivers at Albert Park, with Anton De Pasquale leading the charge in qualifying (securing top-half starting slots for every race, including one on the front-row) but Will Davison bringing home the bulk of the points.
In fact, Davison ranked sixth for the round at Albert Park, while De Pasquale was last.
All up, DJR remains 10th in the teams’ championship, meaning it will only be ahead of the Blanchard Racing Team in the live pitlane order at next month’s inaugural ITM Taupō Super400.
Story, a pivotal part of the Stapylton squad’s championship successes in the 2017-20 period, declared it’s not all bad.
The Fords of Matt Payne (Grove Racing), Chaz Mostert (Walkinshaw Andretti United) and Cam Waters (Tickford Racing) all took the fight to Triple Eight on the weekend, while for DJR it’s a matter of unlocking potential.
“It was great to see the Mustangs showing good speed and battling at the front. Now we have to join them,” said Story.
“Obviously it was not the weekend we wanted, but the season is only just starting and we’ve got plenty of potential.
“The challenge now is to get things unlocked and with a new track coming up next at Taupō in New Zealand we’ve be looking to stir the pot.”
Davison’s most recent race win came in New Zealand, at the 2022 Pukekohe round.
