Can DJR still be a Supercars powerhouse after Penske?
OPINION: Roger Penske's operation helped lift Dick Johnson's faltering Ford team back to the top of Australian tin-tops. But, despite The Captain's departure, along with star driver Scott McLaughlin, there's no reason to expect an imminent decline from DJR
Roger Penske's whirlwind Australian Supercars sojourn is over. After six seasons, three drivers' titles, three teams' championships and a Bathurst 1000 crown, The Captain has sold his controlling stake in Dick Johnson Racing back to the squad and walked away from the category.
Given that his input helped DJR reclaim its powerhouse status, it's natural that Penske's departure has cast doubt over the immediate future of a team we've become so used to seeing at the front of the field, team leader Scott McLaughlin responding to his title near-miss of 2017 with three on the spin.
Share Or Save This Story
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.
More from Andrew van Leeuwen
Supercars parity review begins ahead of the Gold Coast 500
Reynolds blindsided by Bathurst Supercars penalty
Details of impending Mustang Supercars parity change revealed
Bathurst 1000: Van Gisbergen/Stanaway take dominant victory
Bathurst 1000: Pole position for Kostecki/Russell
Bathurst 1000: Kostecki fastest in crash-filled Supercars qualifying
Supercars answers as Ford teams unite against 'unacceptable disadvantage'
Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021
Latest news
The NASCAR Cup playoff contenders needing a rebound at Watkins Glen
Palou vs. Power: The championship-clinching scenarios for IndyCar's finale
JA on F1 Podcast: How to build a winning F1 team
Top five roles on Motorsport Jobs this week
Autosport Plus
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
When Nissan ruled Australia with its 'Godzilla' Group A special
Ranking the top 10 Supercars drivers of 2021
The well-travelled racer now Supercars' elder statesman
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.