Luckless Davison’s blunt response to tough Darwin

Will Davison labelled his Darwin as a “shocker,” with incidents, a penalty and minor engine issue adding more cruel twists to the two-time Bathurst winner’s 2025 campaign.

Davison had the bit between his teeth heading into Sunday, saying on social media he was determined to turn the tides after an “embarrassing few weekends.”

The Shell V-Power Racing Team veteran started 14th for Sunday’s race and was up to 11th after lap 1, and was effective 13th before the second round of stops.

However, a 15-second penalty over contact with James Courtney dropped the #17 to the back of the field.

With 15 laps to go, young drivers Aaron Cameron and Rylan Gray picked off the #17 Shell V-Power Ford, with Davison crossing the line just behind Cameron in 23rd.

It was set to be 24th, but a late wheel issue for Cam Waters moved Davison up one position with three laps to go.

“Another shocker unfortunately for 17. So yeah, it's been a real, real tough few events,” Davison said on Supercars’ Cool Down Lap podcast.

When asked if he had a problem beyond his penalty on Sunday, Davison replied: "I had an engine issue. Engine kept cutting out. It was a bit weird.”

A DJR spokesperson told Supercars.com that the team will service both Shell V-Power Mustangs upon their return to Stapylton, and will address any issues. However, there are no concerns heading into Townsville.

After a charge to P2 in the second Taupō race, Davison’s results read ninth, DSQ, 21st, 17th, 14th, 10th, 16th, 15th, 16th and 23rd.

Few drivers have been beaten from pillar to post in 2025 quite like Davison, who was turned around in Sydney by Cooper Murray, struck trouble twice at Tasmania’s hairpin, and was hit twice on Saturday in Darwin.

Heading to Townsville, Davison is 306 points and 11 positions below teammate Brodie Kostecki, but is still a factor in the Finals chase, sitting just 156 points from the top 10.

However, Brad Jones Racing is now just 74 points behind in the teams' championship, with leaders Triple Eight a whopping 1251 points up the road.

DJR CEO David Noble lamented the team’s ongoing qualifying issues, saying in a Ford Performance release: “It’s the same problem as Perth. We’ve got to qualify better, particularly on Sunday for the bigger race.”

Noble also weighed into suggestions Fords were down on straight-line speed, adding: “We’re still waiting for the analysis of the overall competitiveness of the Fords. There was talk that it is still not quite there.

“The set-up of the cars seemed to be better for the Sunday race, but if you put yourself in the battle zone the results are what you get.

“Looking ahead to Townsville we had a good win there in 2023. So if we can repeat Brodie Kostecki’s speed from the start of this weekend, instead of at the end, we could be looking a lot better.”

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship resumes at the NTI Townsville 500 on July 11-13. Tickets for the event are on sale now.