Why Story believes Finals could spark DJR

Dr Ryan Story believes the new Finals Series system could play into the Shell V-Power Racing Team's hands, as the Ford team looks to bounce back in 2025.

Dick Johnson Racing went winless in a season for the first time since 2016, and was beaten by rival Mustang team Penrite Racing to fifth in the teams' championship by just 45 points.

A new-look DJR will tackle 2025, with outgoing champion Brodie Kostecki, along with engineers George Commins and Tom Moore, set to join from Erebus Motorsport.

The team will also race with Erebus-built chassis, marking a step away from a long-term build relationship with PACE Innovations.

The changes are part of DJR's clear desire to return to winning ways, something Kostecki highlighted when explaining why the team chased his signature.

Come 2025, and drivers will have eight Sprint Cup rounds and two enduros to clinch the 10 Finals places, where the championship will be decided over three elimination rounds.

For Story, who oversaw three straight drivers' titles between 2018 and 2020, the new formats give the new-look DJR a chance to be consistent, score points, claim trophies and be ready to pounce when it matters.

"Look, the great thing about the Finals system is that it really gives us an opportunity to get our shit together," Story said on Supercars' Cool Down Lap podcast.

"We get our shit together, hover in the 10, that's the target, hover in the 10, accrue points, get ourselves sorted.

"Because, look, we're not gonna roll out of the box at Round 1 and be at the peak of our powers. It's going to take us some time, and we need to use that time wisely.

"I think it's a fantastic opportunity for us to really spend the year to get our shit sorted, and really fire when it counts."

Will Davison and outgoing driver Anton De Pasquale finished ninth and 11th overall, combining for three podiums, all taken at Taupō In April.