So, this is going to be a combination of the fact-facts article on Supercars, as well as my thoughts about the upcoming 2019 season.
So first off, there are many milestones that will be reached by drivers and tracks in 2019.
Firstly, and most importantly, the fourth race at Albert Park will be the 1000th race in Supercars history.
Secondly, the Adelaide 500 will be hosting its 20th events.
Thirdly, the Auckland Supersprint will be holding its 15th event. (this will be #14 as a championship round).
And, provided they don't miss any races for whatever reason, the following drivers will reach race milestones.
At the 1st race at Newcastle, Chazz Mostert will celebrate his 200th race start.
At the 2nd race at Tailem Bend, Fabian Coulthard will celebrate his 400th race start.
At the 1st race at Winton, Scott Pye will celebrate his 200th race start.
At the 2nd race at Symmonds Plains, Scott McLaughlin will celebrate his 200th race start.
At the 2nd race of the Superloop 500, James Courtney will celebrate his 200th race start.
At the 1st race at Hidden Valley, Tim Slade will celebrate his 300th race start.
At the 2nd race at Queensland Raceway, David Reynolds will celebrate his 300th race start.
All 5 rookies will rack up 50 races this year, though due to past appearances they will reach that number at different times.
At the 2nd race at Albert Park, Jack LeBrocq will celebrate his 50th race start.
At the 2nd race at Symmonds Plains, James Golding will celebrate his 50th race start.
At the 1st race at Winton, Richie Stanaway will celebrate his 50th race start.
At the 2nd race at Hidden Valley, Todd Hazelwood will celebrate his 50th race start.
Finally, at the 1st race at The Bend, Anton De Pasquale will celebrate his 50th race start.
At the 1st race at Philip Island, Andre Heimgartner will celebrate his 100th race start.
And finally, the 1st race at Auckland, Simona De Silvestro will celebrate her 100th race start.
Aside from the obvious rounds, I’m particularly looking forward to the Barbagallo night race. I’m., of course, a bit disappointed that Eastern Creek isn’t getting a night race, but I understand why, and I’m OK with it.
For several drivers, most notably Todd Hazelwood, Richie Stanaway, Fabian Coulthard and Lee Holdsworth, this season is make-or-break. Coulthard could be replaced by Chazz Mostert in the #12 if he doesn’t perform. This is also Stanaway’s chance, he must grab this chance by the horns and perform or he won’t get a third chance. Hazelwood must live up to expectations more this year and should be running around Jack LeBrocq for most of the year, as the teams they drive for are both satellite teams of Holden Red Bull Racing. Finally, Tickford has performance clauses in their contracts, so Holdsworth must perform.
This will be an interesting year, I will also be interested to see how the new Mustang performs, also, looking ahead to 2020, see how the Chevy Camaro will compete.
Overall, with this weekend being the first round, this is going to be intense, especially as it’s going to be VERY HOT (37-40 every day except Sunday, and even Sunday will be about 30), so we’ll see how everybody copes, and how many DNF due to the heat.
I will, of course, be tracking every last-place finish of this series, as well as a lot of other things related to this series. Please follow this blog, and share it with your friends who also enjoy Supercars.
