Supercars' silly season has started a little later this year, teams were very concerned about finishing 2020 first.

12 months in the making, Team Penske have exited Supercars, leaving Dick Johnson Racing to be controlled by Ryan Story. McLaughlin has gone with them to Indy car full-time, Ludo may follow.

Auto Action report De Pasquale and Will Davison will team up at the renewed DJR.

Blanchard is rumoured to be taking his REC away from BJR, heading for a Tickford Mustang. How this fits into the current Tickford quartet is now yet clear. The Phil Munday REC is rumoured to have been purchased by BJR, keeping BJR at 4 cars. Macauley Jones may be pushed out of BJR as a result of this.

With plenty of uncertainty regarding sponsors around, surprises are still likely.

Confirmed and likely driver line up:
2. Fullwood
3.
4. Smith (expected to stay)
5. Holdsworth
6. Waters
7. Heimgartner
8. Percat
9. Reynolds (some rumours questioning this)
12. W. Davison
14. Hazelwood
15. Kelly
17. De Pasquale
18. Winterbottom
19.
20. Pye
22.
25. Mostert
34.
35.
44. Courtney
55. Le Brocq
88. Whincup
97. van Gisbergen
99. Will Brown

Rick Kelly has just announced his retirement from full time driving

Floored to hear Rick Kelly's announcement. Rick still has plenty to give in my opinion. I was also backing Rick to break all the records for most starts etc. Rick has had an excellent career. 2-Bathurst wins, a Championship, many race wins and always a contender, Rick Kelly has achieved plenty and could still do more as a co-driver.

Rick is stepping away from Kelly Racing it sounds, with the Castrol backing likely to head to another team as well. Tickford is most likely to benefit from this. Interesting that Rick is stepping away from the team he co-owns/owned.

Tickford are favourite to sign Kelly as an enduro driver for 2021, he'll be a gun signing.

AA have plenty of suggestions about what will happen to the field, headlined by David Reynolds taking Penrite sponsorship to Kelly Racing to take Rick's seat.

MSR are likely to expand to 3 cars, with Tim Slade likely to join. Coulthard is likely to re-join BJR in what was Macauley Jones' drive.

Plenty of announcements and surprises still to come.

Only a couple of announcements have been made, but plenty of talking going on. Some announcements are not expected to the new year due to sponsorship contracts.

24 cars near guaranteed, 26 cars possible. Tickford and MSR and both attempting to secure the 2 REC's in Supercars' possession, even if they are only leased for the 2021 season.

If Tickford can not secure a fourth entry, Lee Holdsworth is expected to be squeezed out of a seat.

Fabian Coulthard remains a chance of a seat at either MSR or Team Sydney, a significant step down from past seasons. Team Sydney... I'm not game to guess their plans, though Pither and Coke could be expected to stay.

Large changes are happening at Erebus. Both drivers, both lead engineers and the team manager have reportedly quit.

Also of note is Grant McPherson, van Gisbergen's engineer, leaving Triple 8 to head to WAU. McPherson is completing 6 months of gardening leave before commencing at WAU.

2. Fullwood
3. Slade @ Blanchard Racing running a Mustang
4. Smith
5. ?Holdsworth - if Tickford secure an entry from Supercars, backed by Bottle-O
6. Waters
7. Heimgartner
8. Percat
9. Brown
12. De Pasquale
14. Hazelwood
15. Reynolds - with Penrite backing at Kelly Racing
17. W. Davison
18. Winterbottom
19.
20. Pye
22.
25. Mostert
33. If MSR can secure a third entry from Supercars
34.
35.
44. Courtney
55. Le Brocq - expected to have Truck assist backing
88. Whincup
97. van Gisbergen
99. Kostecki
##. Jones - ex-Munday REC sold to BJR

MSR were forced to give up their plans for 3-cars in 2021 when Supercars would not release an REC for them to purchase.

Tickford has lobbied other teams for Supercars to lease them an REC in 2021 (at least), to allow them to run 4 cars. However, the 4th car would be driven by Thomas Randle. Lee Holdsworth will not have a full time drive in Supercars in 2021 it appears.

2. Fullwood
3. Slade @ Blanchard Racing running a Mustang
4. Smith
6. Waters
7. Heimgartner
8. Percat
9. Brown
12. De Pasquale
14. Hazelwood
15. Reynolds - with Penrite backing at Kelly Racing
17. W. Davison
18. Winterbottom
19. Coulthard
20. Pye
22.
25. Mostert
34. J. Kostecki
35. Goddard
44. Courtney
55. Le Brocq - expected to have Truck assist backing
88. Whincup
97. van Gisbergen
99. B. Kostecki
##. Jones - ex-Munday REC sold to BJR

Supercars have rejected attempts to buy or lease any other RECs, the grid will remain 24 cars in 2021.

Lee Holdsworth's full time Supercar career appears over, pushed out of Tickford Racing.

It Tickford are yet to confirm their line-up of Waters, Le Brocq and Courtney, whilst Team Sydney haven't confirmed Chris Pither in their second car yet. Kelly Racing are yet to confirm Dave Reynolds joining to replace Rick Kelly, contractually unable to announce till 2021.

Interesting with DJR and Penrite both having totally new lineups.Unusual for two of the better regarded teams to have this happen.

2. Fullwood
3. Slade @ Blanchard Racing running a Mustang
4. Smith
6. Waters
7. Heimgartner
8. Percat
9. Brown
12. De Pasquale
14. Hazelwood
17. W. Davison
18. Winterbottom
19. Coulthard
20. Pye
22. Jacobson
25. Mostert
26. Reynolds - with Penrite backing at Kelly Racing
34. J. Kostecki
35. Goddard
44. Courtney
55. Le Brocq - expected to have Truck assist backing
88. Whincup
97. van Gisbergen
99. B. Kostecki
##. Jones - ex-Munday REC sold to BJR2021 grid is (provisionally) set.

Couple of numbers still to be confirmed. Sponsors still to be announced.