Imagine a racing chassis, built with precision but never seeing the track—until now. Brodie Kostecki is about to change that, taking the wheel of an ex-BRT chassis for its very first laps. But here's where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just any chassis. Originally crafted by Erebus Motorsport’s Jimmy White for the Blanchard Racing Team (BRT), it sat unused as BRT shifted alliances to Triple Eight for 2026. Enter Dick Johnson Racing (DJR), who snapped it up late last year, now rechristened as DJRS-09-MR. This move was particularly savvy, given Erebus’s mid-season announcement that it would no longer supply customer teams—a decision that left many scratching their heads. Was this a strategic retreat or a missed opportunity?
Kostecki’s journey with DJR has been anything but ordinary. After joining the Ford team from Erebus ahead of the 2025 season, he insisted on switching to White-built chassis. His first ride, DJRS-07-MR, met an unfortunate end at the Gold Coast after a heavy crash, sidelining him from championship contention. But Kostecki’s resilience shone as he finished the season in DJRS-08-MR, a car previously piloted by Will Davison. Despite the setbacks, Kostecki secured a ninth-place finish in last year’s championship, with impressive wins at Townsville, The Bend, and Adelaide.
And this is the part most people miss: Kostecki’s rise isn’t just about his driving skills. This season, he’s been entrusted with Dick Johnson’s iconic #17 plate, a symbol of legacy and ambition. Meanwhile, his new teammate, Rylan Gray, inherits the #38 plate Kostecki ran last year. Gray will also take DJRS-08-MR for a rookie test day at Queensland Raceway on February 9—a crucial step in his Supercars journey.
But the action doesn’t stop there. Triple Eight, now handling Ford homologation duties, will be at the same track, shaking down their three new Mustangs on February 9 and 10. Is this the start of a new era for Ford in Supercars? Adding to the excitement, Supercars will have a Supra and a Camaro at the venue next week for parity evaluations, a process that will also take place at the Bathurst 12 Hour. These evaluations are critical, especially with minor but impactful changes to the Mustang’s aero package for 2026, including a new leading-edge side skirt packer, a lower decklid height, and an increased rear wing angle. Will these tweaks level the playing field, or give one team an edge?
As the pre-season test and championship opener in Sydney approach, one thing is clear: the stage is set for a thrilling year in Supercars. But here’s the question we’re all pondering: With new alliances, untested chassis, and aero adjustments, who will emerge as the frontrunner? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Kostecki’s move to the #17 plate is a game-changer, or is there another team you’re betting on this season?
