New number for Fraser’s homecoming

Tickford Racing rookie Declan Fraser will sport a new number for his first home race in the Repco Supercars Championship, at this weekend’s NTI Townsville 500.

The reigning Dunlop Super2 Series champion hails from Mackay, and will switch from his usual #56 to #777 for his first career Supercars race in North Queensland.

Fraser raced with the #777 throughout most of his rise through the Australian motorsport ranks, and most recently drove with the number when he clinched the Dunlop Super2 Series championship at last year’s VAILO Adelaide 500.

The Ford driver’s rookie season got off to a solid start, finishing in the top 13 in three of the first five races, including a best finish of 10th in Race 4 at the Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint.

But in the 10 races since, the 22-year old has yet to finish better than 19th, on several occasions being the victim of on-track collisions with rivals.

One year ago, Fraser emerged as the Dunlop Super2 championship protagonist, taking the lead of the championship on the back of his first race win of the season, the round win on his way to the series crown.

Using the confidence from last year’s event, Fraser will look to turn his Supercars fortunes around at this weekend’s race event in Townsville, where the new-for-2023 Gen3 Supercars will make their first race appearance in Queensland.

The NTI Townsville 500 is the sixth round of the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship season and features 250-kilometre races on Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets for the Townsville event can be found via Supercars.com and Ticketek.

Live coverage of the NTI Townsville 500 can be found on Seven and Foxtel, with streaming available on 7plus and Kayo.