DJR Confirms Enduro Cup Lineup: D’Alberto to Mentor Rising Star Gray for 2026 Season
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DJR, one of Australia’s most iconic motorsport teams, has solidified its driver pairings for the 2026 Enduro Cup season, retaining veteran Tony D’Alberto to guide promising rookie Rylan Gray. This announcement completes the team’s lineup alongside the already confirmed pairing of Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood, setting the stage for a competitive season.
D’Alberto’s Continued Partnership with DJR
The decision to retain D’Alberto, now 40, comes after a challenging 2025 campaign where his race ended prematurely due to a crash at Forrest’s Elbow while co-driving with Will Davison. Despite this setback, and Davison’s subsequent departure for 2026, the team recognizes the value of D’Alberto’s experience.
“It’s fair to say 2025 was a disappointing one for me personally and I’m eager to turn things around in 2026 with Rylan,” D’Alberto stated. He highlighted Gray’s impressive performance in the Super2 Series and his successful wildcard outings last year, expressing confidence in his potential. “There’s obviously a bit of an age gap between us but I know I will be able to use my experience to help him succeed across the course of this season.”
A Fifth Co-Driver for D’Alberto at DJR
Gray will become the fifth different primary driver to partner with D’Alberto during his eleven-year tenure with DJR/DJR Team Penske. He previously co-drove with Scott Pye in 2016, followed by four-year stints with Fabian Coulthard and Anton De Pasquale, and a single campaign alongside Davison.
D’Alberto has a proven track record in the Enduro Cup, achieving podium finishes with Coulthard in 2017 and De Pasquale in 2023. This experience will be crucial in mentoring Gray as he navigates the challenges of endurance racing.
DJR Eyes Continued Success in the Enduro Cup
DJR executive Chairman Ryan Story AM expressed optimism about the team’s prospects for the 2026 season. “Tony’s a great asset to the Shell V-Power Racing Team and we know that his experience, attitude and knowledge will be of huge benefit to all of us in 2026,” Story said. “This year’s enduro driver line up across both cars gives us the best possible chance of achieving something special in 2026.”
He emphasized the synergy between D’Alberto’s stability and Gray’s raw talent, as well as the continued strength of the Kostecki-Hazelwood pairing, who secured victory at the Bend 500 last year.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While DJR has yet to finalize its car numbers for the 2026 season, speculation suggests that Brodie Kostecki will inherit the team’s iconic #17 following Davison’s departure. D’Alberto expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming season, stating, “I can’t wait for the pre-season testing to begin and of course will be counting down the days until the Enduro Cup begins in September.”
