In a sport where money does your talking, James Courtney has seemingly found himself in the likely position to return full-time to the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
With 23Red Racing’s departure from the sport confirmed today, the available Racing Entitlement Contract has already begun to be touted to Supercars teams and interested parties, with Boost Mobile and Courtney having appeared as the most likely candidates
The 2010 series champion unceremoniously left Team Sydney at the conclusion of the season-opening Adelaide 500 with little clarity.
Subsequently, Alex Davison was drafted into Courtney’s spot for the curtailed Australian Grand Prix weekend and is set to carry out his duties with the team for the remainder of 2020.
But importantly, primary sponsor Boost Mobile followed the 39-year-old’s exit and has since been seeking for a passage back into the sport full-time in 2020.
The telecommunications brand had a shaky deal as title sponsor with Garry Rogers Motorsport last year that ended when CEO Peter Adderton’s plans to fund a category-wide move to control upright package was blocked by Supercars management.
Despite 23Red Racing’s exit, Tickford have reiterated their intentions to maintain a four-car outfit throughout the rest of the 2020 season.
Should Courtney return to the grid in the squad’s fourth Mustang it will mark his second stint for the Blue Oval, having signed for the Holden Racing Team in 2011 after his title-winning season with Dick Johnson Racing.
However, 23Red Racing’s exit may not entirely be the end of driver Will Davison’s impressive Supercars tenure.
With the likelihood of Alexandre Premat returning to Australia for the Pirtek Enduro Cup no guarantee, Davison could ultimately end up partnering his replacement as Courtney’s co-driver.
What is certain is the two-time Bathurst 1000 champion will not be on the grid with 23Red Racing once the season resumes later this year.
It is expected both Courtney and Boost will confirm their return to the grid shortly.