In a business and sports sponsorship partnership that may be unparalleled in world sport, the association between Johnson and Shell dates back to 1967.

For Sandown 500, the team will incorporated the 1967 version of the famous Shell pecten into the livery of the No.12 and No.17 Shell V-Power Racing Fords. It is the same Shell logo which adorned Johnson’s Holden EH Improved Production car in 1967.

Dick Johnson's Shell-sponsored EH Holden in 1967

Johnson and wife Jill also owned a Shell service station in the Brisbane suburb of Wooloongabba until the mid-1980s.

Scott Wyatt, CEO of Shell’s exclusive Australian licensee, said Shell was immensely proud of its long-running partnership with Johnson.

“Our naming rights partnership with the team is one that we’re very passionate about, and is particularly exciting given the results for the team so far this year,” Wyatt said.

“To be able to celebrate that partnership in conjunction with the team this year is very special, and we hope that we will see many more years of success in association with this great team.”

Dick Johnson said that the support he has received over the years from Shell has been integral to his longevity in the sport.

“Shell has always been there for me, through good times and bad. Even when I raced on-track with competitor branding in the early 1980s, I continued to own the Shell service station. Having them return in a big way this year feels very much like rewinding to the good old days,” said Johnson.

“I’m extremely proud of the duration of our relationship, and even prouder that we’re repaying Shell’s support with great on-track results.”