Davison edges closer to iconic team owner's tally

One of the quiet achievers of the 2021 season, Will Davison, is edging towards a key milestone with regards to his team's history.

A key story of the off-season was Davison's return to Dick Johnson Racing, the team he raced for full-time between 2006 and 2008.

To October's Winton SuperSprint, Davison sits on 62 career podiums, just three shy of Hall of Famer Johnson's tally of 65.

Already in 2021, Davison has scored eight podiums. Only Shane van Gisbergen (15) and Jamie Whincup (nine) have recorded more podium finishes this season.

Davison (R) on the Townsville podium in July

Of active driver career podium tallies, Davison trails only Whincup (231), van Gisbergen (131), Mark Winterbottom (117) and Chaz Mostert (65).

Scott McLaughlin scored 80 of his 106 career podiums with the Shell Ford squad, 48 of them race wins.

Davison, who made his debut in 2004, has finished in the top three 65 times in Supercars races.

Podium finishers from 1960 to 2008 were the top three for the round overall. From 2009 onwards, they have been the top three in every race.

Johnson (C) in 1994 at Sandown Pic: AN1 Images

Davison's first podium finish came at the 2007 Bathurst 1000, which he and Steven Johnson led late in the piece.

He would claim overall podium honours at Sydney Motorsport Park, Winton and Phillip Island in 2008.

Davison moved to the Holden Racing Team in 2009, and recorded 12 podium finishes.

Between 2011 and 2012, he scored 29 podium finishes for Ford Performance Racing, including 10 race wins.

Davison (R) with Steven Johnson in 2007 in Bathurst

Davison is still searching for his 20th career win, and first since the 2016 Bathurst 1000 for Tekno Autosports.

The 472-race veteran has finished second three times and third five times in 2021, and is just 16 points off third-placed Cameron Waters in the standings.

Davison hasn't featured on the podium at Winton, the next stop on the 2021 calendar, since his 2008 result.

That weekend, he contributed to a rare points tie, with Garth Tander winning on countback due to his Race 3 win.