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DJR: We're not defined by 'tough' Newcastle

14 Mar 2023
'We're all hurting but we will bounce back'
2 mins by James Pavey
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A lacklustre Thrifty Newcastle 500 “doesn’t define” the Shell V-Power Racing Team, says Team Principal Ben Croke.

Both Dick Johnson Racing Fords battled for a one-lap and race pace at last weekend’s season-opener.

DJR was the only team of the 11 unable to secure a top 10 result in either a Shootout or race.

Anton De Pasquale raced from 16th to 21st on Sunday, having gone from 17th to 18th on Saturday.

Will Davison dropped from 14th to 19th in Race 2, having raced from 14th to 13th in Race 1.

Davison and De Pasquale were promoted to 11th and 16th in Race 1 after both Red Bull Ampol Racing Camaros were disqualified.

“It was a very tough weekend,” Croke said in post-race communications.

"But one weekend doesn’t define our team, or the work we put into our racing.

"We’ve got some time now to re-set and head to the Grand Prix, and to find the set-up window that works for our cars.”

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Heading to Albert Park, Davison and De Pasquale are 16th and 17th overall, with the team 10th.

It was at Albert Park 12 months ago where Shell V-Power Fords claimed three of the four poles on offer.

It’s in Melbourne where the team will look to bounce back, having been outperformed by their Ford rivals.

Chaz Mostert and Walkinshaw Andretti United lead the championship in the team’s first round with the Blue Oval.

Cam Waters and Tickford Racing won Race 1, while David Reynolds scored pole and a podium on Sunday.

"Not the ideal first weekend for us, there's a lot of work to be done but we'll keep our heads high and work it out,” De Pasquale said.

Davison added: "A big thanks to everyone in the team, obviously this weekend didn't go the way we had planned.

"We're all hurting, but we will bounce back.”

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint on March 30-April 2.

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