Incident Overview
Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) has been issued a formal penalty by Motorsport Australia stewards following a dangerous pit lane incident during the opening race of the Ipswich Super440. The Shell V-Power Racing Team was fined $3,000—with $1,500 suspended until December 31—and docked 30 points in the teams’ championship standings.
The incident occurred as race winner Brodie Kostecki exited his pit bay. Rather than taking a standard exit path, Kostecki drove through the adjacent pit box occupied by Team 18, which was in the process of preparing to service driver Anton De Pasquale. The maneuver forced Team 18’s car controller, Mitch Croke, to hastily jump out of the path of the incoming Ford Mustang to avoid injury.
Stewards’ Investigation and Findings
Following the race, representatives from both DJR and Team 18 were summoned to meet with the Deputy Race Director and stewards. According to the official report, investigators reviewed broadcast footage, in-car camera angles from Kostecki’s #17 car, and overhead vision from Team 18’s pit boom.
The authorized representative for DJR acknowledged that the decision to route the car through the neighboring bay was a tactical error. While the representative initially believed they had alerted Team 18 personnel to the exit path, they admitted in hindsight that no clear communication had been established. The stewards noted that while the two teams maintain a generally professional relationship due to their adjacent garage assignments, the lack of coordination in this instance created a significant safety hazard.
Impact on Championship Standings
The 30-point deduction carries immediate consequences for the highly competitive teams’ championship battle. Before the penalty, the margin between the two squads was already thin; the decision effectively extends the gap to 66 points heading into the remainder of the Ipswich event. For DJR, the focus now shifts toward operational discipline to ensure that pit lane maneuvers remain safe and compliant as the team looks ahead to the crucial endurance rounds of the season.