Dick Johnson Racing Confirms 2026 Lineup and Strategic Overhaul
Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) has confirmed its driver lineup and implemented significant organizational changes ahead of the 2026 Supercars season. The team will feature Brodie Kostecki, who will race the #17 Ford Mustang, and Super2 champion Rylan Gray, driving the #38 entry. These announcements follow management promotions and a strategic adjustment to the team's operational focus.
Organizational Restructuring
DJR has announced several key personnel appointments. Mark Fenning has been promoted to Team Principal, and Tom Moore to Team Manager. Megan Foster now serves as CEO, with Pete Jamieson appointed as Chief Commercial Officer.
The team has also divested from Ford homologation and engine duties. This strategic move is aimed at reallocating resources towards its core on-track racing objectives.
Co-owner Brett Ralph stated that while the 2025 season was DJR's most successful in the Gen3 era, it did not meet the team's overall objectives.
2026 Driver Lineup Unveiled
For the 2026 Supercars season, Brodie Kostecki will race with the #17 Ford Mustang. The #17 holds historical significance in Australian motorsport, having been previously used by Dick Johnson and Scott McLaughlin.
Rylan Gray joins DJR as Kostecki's teammate, taking over the #38 entry. This number was previously associated with Kostecki in 2025. Dick Johnson, a team co-founder, first used the #38 in 1964 and adopted the #17 in the late 1960s. Ed Williams has been assigned as Gray's car engineer.
Todd Hazelwood and Tony D'Alberto have been retained as endurance drivers for the upcoming season. These changes follow Will Davison's departure from the team at the end of the previous year.
Rylan Gray's Ascent to Supercars
Rylan Gray, who will be 20 years old in 2026, joins DJR full-time after winning the 2025 Dunlop Super2 Series title with Tickford Autosport.
His impressive career includes:
- Finishing seventh and first in two Super2 seasons.
- Securing a round victory at Bathurst in 2024.
- Achieving second place in two seasons of Monochrome GT4 Australia alongside George Miedecke.
In preparation for his Supercars move, Gray participated in a solo wildcard appearance in Gen3 machinery at Hidden Valley Raceway in 2025. This was followed by an enduro campaign with Super2 teammate Lochie Dalton, which included a 13th-place finish in the Bathurst 1000.
Gray spent the off-season integrating with the DJR team, including training with Kostecki.
He described DJR as a well-prepared and well-mannered environment and stated an intention to perform to his ability and build results, acknowledging the challenges inherent for a rookie.
Livery Reveal and Pre-Season Preparations
DJR was the first Supercars team to unveil its 2026 livery, which largely retains its 2025 design for a second consecutive season. Minor modifications for the new season include a 'midnight blue' rear wing for sponsor DXC Technology and new Ford Racing branding.
Rylan Gray is scheduled to conduct his initial drive of a Shell V-Power Racing Mustang during a rookie test at Queensland Raceway on February 9. Brodie Kostecki is scheduled to conduct his first shakedown with the #17 Mustang at Queensland Raceway. The team previously conducted a shakedown of Kostecki's new car.
2026 Season Kicks Off
The Repco Supercars Championship season is scheduled to commence with a pre-season test session at Sydney Motorsport Park on Wednesday, February 18th. The Dunlop Sydney 500 is scheduled to open the season that weekend, with free fan entry available on Friday, February 18th.