Why podium means so much to Davison
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 12 April 2025
After a year away, Will Davison made a welcome return to the podium for the 81st time in his Supercars career at Taupo.
A strong second place ended a year away from the rostrum with his last piece of silverware also a runner-up finish on the Saturday of Taupo.
But this one means a lot to the 42-year-old as it’s the first as part of DJR’s new era with Brodie Kostecki alongside and a new engineering line up.
“It has been a very good day,” Davison said.
Twelve months so I have not had enough podium action. This is special. I am thrilled for the Ralph family, Ryan Story at home, it has been a tough period.
“I knew Brodie had some damage and on that last lap I was watching in the mirror saying ‘go go go go’ (holding off Matt Payne) because we both needed to be up here.
“It is a great day for the team and we need to be on the top step, but that is coming.”
Davison is a veteran of almost 600 races, but revealed he is pushing himself as hard as ever with Kostecki now on board and believes the double podium is a sign DJR is moving forward in the right direction.
“A lot has gone into this,” he said.
“I am really encouraged with what the team is doing this year, chipping away.
“There has been a lot of change. Brodie has brought a lot to the team and I am trying to lift. I am digging deep and loving trying to get the most out of myself.
“I am just thrilled to still be here and part of this new phase and this is just the start.”
Having also finished 10th in the opening race, Davison sits third in the race for the Jason Richards Memorial Trophy, 30 points behind leader Matt Payne.
“I cannot lie it is one that means an awful amount
“JR was a good mate and twice I have led going into the last race here in 2013 and 2022 when I thought we had one hand on it but had a pit stop issue.
“It is cool and as long as whoever wins it respects it.
“It is good that I am in contention, so bring it on and we will have a crack.”
Image: DJR
Taupo Super440
Practice 1 – 1: A. Heimgartner 1:26.8830 2: Anton De Pasquale +0.0258 3: Matt Payne +0.0830
Practice 2 – 1: Ryan Wood 1:25.9778; 2: Brodie Kostecki +0.0435; 3: Thomas Randle +0.0838
Race 8 Qualifying – 1 Matt Payne 1:25.7006; 2 Brodie Kostecki +0.0705; 3 Cameron Waters +0.1646
Race 9 Qualifying: 1 Brodie Kostecki 1:26.3482; 2 Chaz Mostert +0.0712; 3 Broc Feeney +0.1939
Race 8 (37 laps) 1 Matt Payne 2 Cameron Waters 3 Ryan Wood
Race 9 (37 laps) 1 Chaz Mostert WAU 37 56.14; 2 Will Davison DJR 37 +6.4763; 3 Brodie Kostecki DJR 37 +9.1911
Sun 8.35-9.05: Supercars Race 10 Qualifying
Sun 10.50-11.35: Supercars Race 10 Top 10 Shootout
Sun 13.05: Supercars Race 10 (61 laps)
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