V8 Supercars' DJR Team Penske Secures Multi-Million Dollar Backing From Shell

Supercars institution DJR Team Penske has "secured multi-million dollar backing from its oldest partner for an all-out assault on the V8 title" next year, according to Mark Fogarty of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Fuel and lubricant company Shell "will return as the title sponsor of the team," founded by Dick Johnson in '80, in a multi-year deal that "reunites one of the most successful alliances in Australian touring car racing history." Along with the signing of Supercars driver Scott McLaughlin, who will replace Scott Pye alongside this year's recruit Fabian Coulthard, "Shell's big-money support will underpin DJR Team Penske's declared ambition to become a championship contender" in '17. It will be the "first time the team has had the same primary sponsor since American racing legend Roger Penske bought a controlling interest in Johnson's operation last year." Starting next year, both McLaughlin's and Coulthard's DJR Team Penske Ford Falcon FG Xs "will run under the Shell V-Power Racing banner" (SMH, 10/3).