Kostecki opens up on Gray deal, Davison departure

Brodie Kostecki is determined to help send outgoing Dick Johnson Racing driver Will Davison out on a high before mentoring rookie recruit Rylan Gray in 2026.

Last week, DJR confirmed Super2 points leader Gray will replace two-time Bathurst champion Davison, in what marks a "strategic shift" for the Shell V-Power squad.

At 28 years of age, Kostecki will be the senior driver in the decorated Ford team next season, having raced under 599-race veteran Davison this season.

Gray, who turns 19 later this month, is in the box seat to clinch the Super2 crown in Adelaide, and is set to be one of five full-time rookies on the 2026 grid.

Speaking on his Lucky Dogs podcast, Kostecki said he was keen to take Gray under his wing, while reiterating he was excited to close out 2025 with Davison.

“The opportunity to work with Rylan going forwards is pretty exciting for me. He's young and I'm just sort of looking forward to mentoring him,” Kostecki said.

"But Davo has been a great mate and a great teammate as well. I'll enjoy the rest of the races that I've got with him for the rest of the year and I wish him all the best for whatever he does next.

“Who knows, he could show up full-time next year or be a co-driver.”

Kostecki insisted Gray — who is set to be trackside with DJR at Sandown next weekend — deserves the seat.

After a moving year in Super2 in 2024, the New South Welshman has been a cut above in 2025 to put himself in position to clinch the title with one race remaining. Gray also has five main game races to his name, all coming in Tickford Racing’s wildcard entry in Darwin, The Bend and Bathurst.

In contrast, Davison will make his 600th career start in the Sandown opener, and appears set to transition into co-driving next season.

“Rylan’s definitely got the runs on the board in the junior category,” Kostecki continued.

“Main game's going to be a big step up for him, but he's been sort of texting me straight away and he’s going to spend a bit of time with us at Sandown as well.

“It’ll be exciting to have that that energy around, moving forward. But I'm also excited to do the rest of the year with Davo as well and see out the rest of the year with him.

“He's been been full of wisdom and he's been in the sport for a long time now, he’s seen different generations of cars and whatnot, he's always got great stories as well."

Kostecki and Davison will resume their 2025 campaigns at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 on November 14-16.