The highs and lows of Courtney's 250

A Supercars champion and series veteran, James Courtney celebrated 250 rounds in Darwin, a milestone nearly 20 years in the making.

Courtney and Ford rival Will Davison clocked up 250 Supercars rounds earlier this month, becoming the eighth and ninth drivers to do so.

Courtney became the sixth champion to hit the 250 mark, after Craig Lowndes (302), Garth Tander (290), Mark Winterbottom (280), Rick Kelly (265) and Russell Ingall (254).

Courtney will surpass old teammate Ingall by the end of the year, and given he is signed on with the Blanchard Racing Team for next season, should move past Kelly into fourth all-time by the end of 2025.

A multi-time race winner, only 10 drivers have claimed more Supercars podiums than Courtney. However, in a career of more than 550 races, the star driver has also had his fair share of tough moments, such as his 2013 Phillip Island crash and 2015 injury that saw him miss Bathurst.

Supercars.com goes for a trip down memory lane to pinpoint the key milestones of Courtney's long and decorated career.

Round 1, Sandown 2005

The Holden Racing Team called Courtney up for the 2005 enduros alongside legend Jim Richards, with his debut coming at the Sandown 500. The Richards/Courtney Commodore raced to 11th from 18th on the grid, before Courtney encountered a Bathurst nightmare with an early crash.

First podium, Oran Park 2006

Courtney replaced two-time champion Marcos Ambrose at Stone Brothers Racing in 2006, but crashed the car on debut in Adelaide. After four DNFs in his first 10 races, Courtney claimed two top three finishes in Ipswich, but a DNF in the finale cost him an overall podium. That came at the next round at Oran Park, before he combined with Glenn Seton to score a stunning Bathurst podium.

First pole, Adelaide 2007

Courtney opened his second SBR season with a maiden Supercars pole, in what was just his 16th round start. However, the starts left him down, Courtney bogging down off the line on both days before recovering to second and third in the two races. First win, Ipswich 2008 Courtney had to wait until his 36th round to finally reach victory lane, with the win coming at Queensland Raceway. It would be his only win with SBR before moving to Dick Johnson Racing, with Courtney adding a third straight Bathurst podium later that year en route to sixth in the championship.

Round 50, Sandown 2009

Courtney shifted to DJR in 2009 and returned to victory lane for a second time at the inaugural Townsville round, in what was his 49th round. His 50th round also featured silverware, with Courtney second and eighth at the Sandown sprint round. He finished the year seventh in the points, but come 2010, he was the guy to beat, denying Jamie Whincup in a thrilling season to become champion.

Round 100, Sydney Olympic Park 2012

A high-profile defection to HRT was followed by a tough title defence, which began brightly with victory in Abu Dhabi. He raced to the podium just twice and ended up 10th, which is where he finished in 2012. It was at his 100th round, though, that Courtney showed his best of 2012, finishing third in both races on home soil in Sydney.

Most recent win, Adelaide 2016

Courtney remained in the Walkinshaw family until the end of 2019, with his 15th and most recent win coming in HRT colours in 2016. A two-time defending winner of the Adelaide 500, Courtney denied old foe Whincup in a blockbuster finish to take the win. He has been hunting No. 16 ever since, but if that ends up being his final win, it was a hell of a win!

Round 150, Bathurst 2016

Courtney clocked up 150 rounds at the 2016 Great Race, and was searching for a first Bathurst podium since his SBR three-peat. Partnered with Jack Perkins, Courtney finished 13th in a highly controversial race that saw teammate Garth Tander collide with Whincup and Scott McLaughlin late on, handing victory to Will Davison.

Round 200, Sydney 2020

Courtney’s road to 200 rounds had a rocky start in 2020 after he split with Team Sydney after one round, and following a COVID layoff, he returned with Tickford Racing in Boost Mobile colours. Courtney finished 12th, ninth and 14th in the three races, and remained part of the Tickford family until 2023.

Round 250, Darwin 2024

Courtney took on a new challenge in 2024, joining the young Blanchard Racing Team squad. After claiming top eight finishes in Melbourne and Perth, Courtney wasn’t rewarded in his 250th with two finishes of 23rd.

Most ATCC/Supercars rounds*

*Full-time driver in 2024

^Confirmed co-driver in 2024