The Indy 500 meeting that triggered an Australian Supercars revival

Following in the footsteps of DJR Team Penske, Walkinshaw Racing is reaping rewards from its collaboration with Andretti Autosport and United Autosports

Andrew van Leeuwen Mar 22, 2019, 12:48 PM

Engineering

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It's a story that became instant Supercars folklore. Looking for a new equity partner to help battle through following the Holden Racing Team era that ended in 2016, Walkinshaw Racing boss Ryan Walkinshaw turned to his good mate Zak Brown. Not for money, not even for the opportunity to buy into the team. He just wanted an introduction to Michael Andretti.

Thanks to DJR Team Penske, the template for US ownership in Supercars was sitting right there. And, with the Penske Fords suddenly winning races, Walkinshaw - the son of team founder Tom - wanted a piece of the American action.

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Author Andrew van Leeuwen

Andrew van Leeuwen is Motorsport.com's Australian Editor and provides award-winning coverage of Supercars. He started his career working for Australasian Motorsport News in Melbourne, working his way into the top digital editor role before relocating to Mainz, Germany, in 2012. During his three-year stint in Europe he covered a number of series, including the DTM, while working for Autosport, before returning to Australia as part of Motorsport.com's global expansion in early 2015. Alongside his Motorsport.com commitments Andrew is one-third of the successful Below the Bonnet podcast. He lives in Perth with his wife Anne, kids Nico and Billie and chihuahua Coco.