The year-on-year proof of Team 18's rise, DJR's dip

Heading to Albert Park, it's a tale of two seasons for several teams and drivers after the new era began at the Thrifty Newcastle 500.

The drivers' standings are vastly different year-on-year compared to 2022, but Chaz Mostert is the constant at the top of the tree.

Mostert grabbed the series lead for Walkinshaw Andretti United and Ford despite not winning a race in Newcastle.

Remarkably, two drivers mirrored their championship standings from 2022; Mostert in first, and Todd Hazelwood in 14th.

Hazelwood moved from Matt Stone Racing to Blanchard Racing Team in the off-season, and is now racing a CoolDrive Ford Mustang.

When it comes to big jumps year-on-year, Scott Pye leads the way; the Team 18 driver is 14 positions and 90 points better off versus his 2022 placing.

Pye suffered mechanical dramas at last year's Sydney opener and left ranked 24th. After Newcastle, he is 10th.

Team 18 teammate Mark Winterbottom, who is seventh after Newcastle, is also six positions and 54 points better off.

In all, Team 18 has 330 points after Round 1 in 2023, a stark contrast to 2022's season-opener when the team departed Sydney with 186 points.

The turnaround wasn't lost on Pye after the team's big off-season building its new Gen3 Camaros.

"The cars are straight and we move to Albert Park with plenty of lessons learnt," Pye said.

"Overall as a group it’s been an amazing effort... I’m super proud of everyone in the pit lane who have worked their backside off to get us here.

"I’m stoked for everyone at Team 18, I can’t thank the boys and girls enough.

"I’m excited for the year ahead, I think we have amazing opportunities and I’m looking forward to what’s going to be a great year.

David Reynolds is 12 positions and 90 points happier, and also has an ARMOR ALL Pole Position to his name in 2023.

Jack Le Brocq's second season with Matt Stone Racing also got off to an impressive start. Le Brocq, in eighth, is 10 positions and 69 points better off.

Conversely, there are a number of tales of woe, notably at the Shell V-Power Racing Team.

The Ford squad has benched 249 points versus 2022, when Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison were second and fifth. After Newcastle, they're 16th and 17th.

Mostert's speed didn't translate to Nick Percat, who is 14 positions and 102 points worse off, largely due to his Saturday DNF in Newcastle.

With Percat 25th and last, WAU Mustangs oddly bookend the drivers' championship standings.

James Courtney is also eight positions down and 42 points behind his 2022 position, having recorded a Sunday DNS after his Shootout crash.

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

Championship points standings after Round 1