Richie Stanaway is given the door by penrite racing
Credit: V8Sluth
Richie Stanaway and Penrite Racing will part ways at the end of the 2024 season, as the Ford team has confirmed the Bathurst winner's contract will not be renewed. Stanaway joined the Grove Racing squad in 2024 after a four-year hiatus from full-time Supercars competition. His return to the sport was marked by securing a seat with Penrite Racing, coming off a spectacular win at the Repco Bathurst 1000 alongside Shane van Gisbergen, which replaced the Team 18-bound David Reynolds.
Currently, through seven rounds of the season, Stanaway is positioned 13th in the championship standings. This places him eight spots behind his teammate Matt Payne, who has enjoyed a successful season so far. Payne has achieved four podium finishes, including a victory in Townsville, and secured pole positions at both the Grand Prix and Taupō. Payne also leads Stanaway significantly in the qualifying head-to-head, with a 15-1 advantage, and in race head-to-head, with a 10-5 lead.
Penrite Racing issued a statement acknowledging Stanaway's departure and assuring their support for him for the remainder of the season. "Grove Racing can confirm that Richie Stanaway’s contract will not be renewed for Season 2025," the statement reads. "Richie will continue as our main-game driver for the remainder of the 2024 season, and we will endeavor to support Richie to perform at the level that we know he is capable of. The team’s current priority is to finish the 2024 season as strong as possible and maximize our position in the teams' championship. The driver of Car #26 for Season 2025 will be announced in due course."
This announcement marks the beginning of what is expected to be an eventful silly season, with several high-profile drivers coming off-contract at the end of the year. Among those whose contracts are expiring are Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale from Dick Johnson Racing, reigning champion Brodie Kostecki from Erebus Motorsport, Mark Winterbottom from Team 18, and Tim Slade from PremiAir Nulon Racing.
Additionally, Super2 champion Kai Allen is garnering significant attention. The young driver is already linked to Dick Johnson Racing through his co-drive with two-time Bathurst winner Davison. Allen’s future in the Supercars main game is a topic of considerable speculation, as teams look to secure promising talent for the upcoming seasons.
As the 2024 season progresses, all eyes will be on Stanaway's performance and the forthcoming driver announcements, which are set to shape the grid for 2025 and beyond. Penrite Racing's decision signifies a significant change, not just for the team but for the broader Supercars landscape, as teams and drivers maneuver for the best possible line-ups for future championships.