Stanaway seals comeback with Penrite Racing

Richie Stanaway has sealed a sensational full-time Supercars return with Penrite Racing, just weeks ahead of his enduro debut with Triple Eight.

Penrite Racing announced Stanaway’s signing for the 2024 season just hours after confirming David Reynolds’ departure.

Stanaway will replace Reynolds — who joined the team in 2021 — and will partner New Zealand compatriot Matt Payne.

It's the latest headline in a string of silly season shocks; in the last week alone, Will Brown has defected to Triple Eight from Erebus Motorsport, which has picked up Jack Le Brocq. Nick Percat's exit from Walkinshaw Andretti United was also confirmed on Monday.

The news comes just four weeks out from Stanaway’s highly-anticipated enduro debut alongside Shane van Gisbergen at Red Bull Ampol Racing.

The former GT and open-wheel ace and van Gisbergen will share the #97 Camaro at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000.

The 31-year-old last raced in a full-time capacity in 2019 with Garry Rogers Motorsport before retiring at the end of the season.

Stanaway joined the full-time fold in 2018 with Tickford Racing, having won the previous season’s Sandown 500 with Cam Waters. However, results were hard to come by, and Stanaway moved on to GRM.

That partnership also lasted a single season, and Stanaway appeared gone for good until he was coaxed out of retirement to race a Boost Mobile-backed, Erebus Motorsport-run Bathurst wildcard with Greg Murphy.

Stanaway set tongues wagging when he qualified for the Bathurst Shootout in terrible conditions and, with Murphy, raced to 11th. It proved irresistible to Triple Eight, who signed him up alongside van Gisbergen.

The Triple Eight vacancy was created, ironically, after Garth Tander shifted to Penrite Racing.

Van Gisbergen recently stated Stanaway still has what it takes to perform full-time: "He’s a driver — he’s good enough to be a full-time guy. Hopefully he does a good job this year."

“I would like to thank Penrite Racing for the incredible opportunity to be a part of the team next year,” Stanaway said.

"I've been impressed by the direction the team has been heading in recent years and have been enjoying my time in the Gen3 era thus far.

Stanaway's last full-time campaign was with GRM in 2019

"I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Stanaway is the latest in a long line of decorated coups by the Groves, with Tander picked up as a co-driver for the 2023 season.

The team has, in the last two years, signed Bathurst- and title-winning engineers Grant McPherson and David Cauchi, the latter currently Penrite Racing’s Team Principal.

“As we continue to build the race team, securing a driver of Richie’s calibre is extremely exciting — giving the team the opportunity to challenge for race wins and championships,” team owner Stephen Grove added.

"Richie’s experience and feedback will be great for the team to further develop moving forward.

“I wish Dave all the best as he moves forward and thank him for his contribution to the team over the last three seasons.”

Stanaway will race with van Gisbergen at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on September 15-17, and the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 5-8.

How the 2024 Supercars grid stands (as of August 21, 2023)