Courtney to run #600 on milestone weekend

Blanchard Racing Team will swap numbers on James Courtney's Snowy River Caravans Mustang ahead of his milestone weekend at the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440.

Courtney's usual #7 will become #600 as he becomes just the fourth driver in Supercars history to start at least 600 races in the championship.

The 2010 Supercars champion will join Craig Lowndes, Garth Tander, and Mark Winterbottom in the 600 club on Saturday in the first race of the weekend.

This weekend will be a full circle moment for Courtney, who had his first taste of a Supercar in 2005 at Queensland Raceway in a Holden Racing Team Commodore VZ.

“It’s huge – 600 races – this is the first place I ever drove a Supercar, so to come here for my 600th, and I live an hour down the road, it’s pretty special,” said Courtney.

“I didn’t think I was going to make six races, let alone 600. It’s quite unique. I think I’m the fourth guy to do it, so it’s humbling.

Queensland Raceway holds special memories for the 45-year-old, who claimed his first career Supercars victory at the circuit in 2008 driving for Stone Brothers Racing.

"It was big, I remember it was the first time Frank the Tank came out, adding: "It was a big race, I think we had Winterbottom pushing me pretty hard all the way to the end. It seems like yesterday but a lifetime ago.

"That would've been 2008, so it's a long time ago, but it's beautiful to be able to come back here to this event.

"I think we've missed this event over the last few years, it definitely draws a huge crowd in with park and ride, it's Supercars heartland out here so it's good to have it back on the calendar."

Although sitting 18th in the standings, there have been glimpses of the Courtney of old in 2025, highlighted by a breakthrough podium for BRT in Perth and fifth a few weeks later in Darwin.

The two-time Adelaide 500 winner has also continued to prove he isn't one to back down from a fight, no matter who he is up against on track.

“I feel I’ve never lost it. It’s good in my final year to have a burst of speed what we’ve had with the results with the third in Perth and fifth in Darwin and running really strongly at Townsville the other weekend,” said Courtney.

“It’s nice as the team, BRT growing, and to be able to leave the team in a much better shape than when I arrived. That was always the goal and to give a little bit back to Supercars because it’s been, as you can see, amazing to me.

“I’ve never had to work a day in my life and it’s quite surreal to be standing here on the eve of my 600th race.”

On-track action at Ipswich gets underway with two 30-minute practice sessions tomorrow at 12:05pm and 2:20pm AEST. Tickets for the Century Batteries Ipswich Super 440 are on sale now.