“IF that’s him on day one back, then look out.”
Those are the ominous words spoken by Grove Racing team principal David Cauchi after Richie Stanaway started his full-time Supercars comeback with a bang.
In his first solo round since the 2019 Newcastle 500, Stanaway qualified his #26 Penrite Mustang inside the 10, improved to fifth during the Shootout, and came home fourth at the end of 40 racing laps.
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The Kiwi enigma has countless runs on the board from his earlier days overseas, not to mention winning the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 as a co-driver, but it appears he’s finally found a happy home as a Supercars primary.
And it’s just reward for the Groves, who took a punt on Stanaway rather than looking for a safe option to replace David Reynolds for 2024.
“It was a very calculated risk,” team principal David Cauchi told V8 Sleuth.
“We have got a lot of faith in Richie.
“We know the speed is there and we know the hunger is there and the attitude; that was some of the biggest things and he has definitely proven that.”
While there remains a question mark over engine parity, as highlighted by Walkinshaw Andretti United Ford star Chaz Mostert, the Groves are setting about chasing after Triple Eight which has topped every session thus far at the Thrifty Bathurst 500.
“Those T8 cars, fair play to those guys, they were lightning today and absolutely deserved the win,” said Cauchi.
“We have got to go and do our homework tonight and tune up our cars, quali and race, if we’re going to catch those guys, that’s for sure.”
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Sunday Supercars qualifying at the Thrifty Bathurst 500 will get underway at 9:30am AEDT.
