David Reynolds retains Grove Racing seat

David Reynolds will remain with Grove Racing for the 2023 Supercars Championship season after agreeing a new deal with the Ford squad.

Reynolds made the switch the Penrite-backed squad from Erebus Motorsport last season and has scored seven podium finishes thus far – a pair of second places in Melbourne earlier this campaign being the best to date.

With Lee Holdsworth having announced that he would be standing down from a full-time seat at the end of 2022, teenager Matthew Payne will step up from Super2 – where he currently sits third in a Grove-run Nissan Altima – to complete the line-up.

“I’m really happy to have the next stage of my career locked in, I really feel like we’re moving in the right direction together ahead of Gen3 and we’re all on the same page as a team as we continue to grow,” Reynolds said.

“We’ve had some strong results this year and we can continue to get better. It’ll be a good challenge having Matt join us full-time, he’s been quick in everything he’s raced so I hope we push each other and ultimately move the team forward.”

Payne is confirmed in a full-time seat prior to his Supercars debut at Bathurst next month, where he will line-up alongside defending winner Holdsworth.

“It’s a nice feeling to announce this prior to heading to Mount Panorama for my first Bathurst 1000,” he said. “I would like to thank the whole Grove Group especially Steve, Brenton and Tania for placing so much belief in my ability from a very early stage in my racing career, and to my personal crew for making it all fall into place so early on.

“I feel ready for Supercars and the learning process that goes with it. Grove Racing is a team that has enormous potential and plenty of upside to succeed.

“The new Gen3 era is going to be exciting, and I can’t wait to hit the track next year but first is Bathurst – Lee and I have a job to do there, as well as my Super2 campaign, which we are still in with a shot of winning in our first year.”

Team owner Stephen Grove said he felt the blend of youth and experience would give his team the opportunity to succeed on track in 2023.

“Our 2023 driver line-up gives us great flexibility with the experience and continuity of Dave, combined with the first graduate of the Grove Junior Team into Supercar,” he said. “Matt brings speed and a work ethic that drives success.

“The development of our next generation of driver in Matt, together with a vastly experienced driver in Dave makes for a great combination in 2023.”