Why Kostecki has adopted #38 at DJR

There's plenty of sentiment behind the #38, which has finally been revealed as Brodie Kostecki's first Dick Johnson Racing race number.

DJR took the covers off its new-for-2025 Shell V-Power Racing Team livery on Thursday, with Kostecki unveiled alongside teammate Will Davison, co-drivers Todd Hazelwood and Tony D'Alberto, and team owner Johnson.

Two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Davison will continue with DJR's famous #17 for a fifth season, having raced with the number since rejoining in 2021. Kostecki, meanwhile, will commence life as a DJR driver with the #38, which has a connection to both driver and team.

Kostecki carried the #38 during his 2020 Super2 campaign with Eggleston Motorsport, winning two of the three races at the Adelaide 500 round.

However, the #38 was also used by a young Johnson back in 1964, when he debuted at the historic Lakeside circuit in Queensland.

Johnson, a five-time champion and three-time Bathurst winner with the #17, also used the #38 in a number of NASCAR starts in the 1990s.

Kostecki, the 2023 Supercars champion, was keen to get started with DJR.

“I’m also super excited to be racing with the number 38 this year," the 2024 Bathurst winner said.

"I know it has special meaning to ‘DJ’ but it’s also the number I ran during my time in the Dunlop Series so it still has a special place in my racing history as well."

Johnson added: “It’s also great to have Brodie racing with number 38, it’s a number that is close to my heart as the number I raced under for the very first time back in 1964.

“I know everybody at Shell V-Power Racing Team is excited about what 2025 has in store for us.”

Team Principal Dr Ryan Story said: “We’re also proud to see Brodie racing with the number 38 in 2025.

"It has significance for ‘DJ’ and Brodie who both competed with the number 38 in their respective early careers, so it made perfect sense to pick that number for this year’s championship, alongside the famous number 17.”

The new-look Shell V-Power Mustangs will complete a shakedown at Queensland Raceway on February 13, before the pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 19, and Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round on February 21-23.

Tickets for the test day and Sydney 500 - Opening Round are available now.