25 best Supercars drivers since 2000: #12 James Courtney
As 2025 gets underway, Supercars.com is ranking the top 25 drivers of the last 25 years, continuing with James Courtney, who comes in as our #12.
James Courtney got as close as anyone could to Formula One, before a horrific testing accident in a Jaguar at Monza in 2002 ended his F1 dreams, and could've easily ended his career in motorsport altogether.
Returning home a few years later, Courtney's speed was immediately apparent in a Holden Racing Team enduro cameo in 2005, before replacing NASCAR-bound Marcos Ambrose at Stone Brothers Racing in 2005.
A move to Dick Johnson Racing turned him from a contender to a champion in just two seasons, before a move to the Holden Racing Team brought further victories but not a second title, nor an elusive Bathurst win.
Alongside Will Davison, Courtney remains one of the last drivers from the glory days of the 2000s on the grid as a full-timer, a testament to his championship-winning capabilities behind the wheel.
James Courtney's key stats since 2000
Years active: 2005-present
Rounds: 257
Races: 578
Best championship position: 1st (2010)
Best finish: 1st (15 wins)
Top three finishes: 73
Best start: 1st (10 pole positions)
Best Bathurst result: 2nd (2007)
The highlight
The ultimate fairytale story in Supercars, Courtney's 2010 championship win against the might of Triple Eight and Jamie Whincup, and Ford Performance Racing and Mark Winterbottom, remains one of the most iconic seasons of all time.
Amid an uncertain backdrop of Dick Johnson Racing's severe background turmoil that saw the team enter severe financial trouble, Courtney rallied the troops with some inspired performances throughout the 2010 season.
Courtney won four races on the bounce at Queensland Raceway and Winton in the middle of the season to establish himself as the one to beat, taking a 53-point advantage over Whincup into the Homebush finale, with Winterbottom 200 behind.
The infamous 'they're all in the fence' crash saw all three plough into the wall at the Turn 5 sweeper, however with Burgess and Sinclair overseeing the repairs, Courtney was the only one of the trio to be classified, essentially sealing the title.
An honourable mention should also be made for his 2016 Saturday win at the Adelaide 500, where he held off Whincup following an unforgettable last lap duel through the notorious Turn 8 sweeper.
Why we picked him
Plenty of drivers from European and/or open-wheel backgrounds have struggled to adjust to the unique nature of Supercars machinery, however it was immediately apparent Courtney had raw speed to burn.
However, the DJR move saw his talent nurtured under the tutelage of race engineer Scott Sinclair and team manager Adrian Burgess, which saw his talent blossom into a championship win in his second and final season in Stapylton.
Courtney's bravery and commitment remains at the pointy end of the current day crop of young superstars, with street circuits still bringing out the best in the 44-year-old, even when he doesn't have the best machinery underneath him.
Although his career might not have reached the global heights it could have, Courtney has achieved almost all there is to achieve in Supercars, and will no doubt find himself a top co-drive when his full-time career ends at the VAILO Adelaide Grand Final in November.
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of Supercars, teams or drivers.
