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| Jack Perkins | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Perkins at Mike Pero Pukekohe 500 2013 | |||||||
| Born | (1986-08-22)22 August 1986 (age 39) | ||||||
| Related to | Eddie Perkins (grandfather) George Reynolds (grand-uncle) Larry Perkins (father) | ||||||
| Racing licence | |||||||
| Supercars Championship career | |||||||
| Car number | 7 | ||||||
| Current team | Blanchard Racing Team (Endurance race co-driver) | ||||||
| Championships | 0 | ||||||
| Races | 157 | ||||||
| Wins | 1 | ||||||
| Podiums | 3 | ||||||
| Pole positions | 0 | ||||||
| 2024 position | 47th (186 points) | ||||||
| NASCARO'Reilly Auto Parts Series career | |||||||
| 2 races run over 1 year | |||||||
| 2025 position | 64th | ||||||
| Best finish | 64th (2025) | ||||||
| First race | 2025The Loop 110 (Chicago) | ||||||
| Last race | 2025Pacific Office Automation 147 (Portland) | ||||||
| |||||||
| Statistics up to date as of 1 November 2025. | |||||||
Jack Perkins (born 22 August 1986) is an Australian motor racing driver who competes in thePirtek Enduro Cup. He currently co-drivers withJames Courtney in the No. 7Ford Mustang forBlanchard Racing Team. He is the son of retired Australian race driver and former team ownerLarry Perkins, in whose teamPerkins Engineering, he drove between 2006 and 2008. Initially competing as an endurance race only driver in 2006, in 2007 Perkins graduated to the full-time drive in the No. 11Perkins Engineering car, the number madefamous in Australian racing by his father.
ThePerkins Engineering team run by his fatherLarry, ran a two-car Fujitsu Development Series racing program in 2006, leading to Perkins getting the drive in the second No. 78 car, withShane Price getting the lead drive in No. 77.[1] The cars were largely unsponsored, though had a clear association with the main series Jack Daniel's-sponsored Perkins Engineering cars. Perkins and Price were also immediately earmarked to drive the No. 11 Perkins Engineering car in the 2006 endurance races.
Price was generally faster than Perkins during the Fujitsu series, but Perkins managed to finish third in the championship standings,[2] just behind Price, who was narrowly defeated byAdam Macrow for the title.
In the Sandown 500, Perkins – together with Price – brought the No. 11 Jack Daniel'sCommodore home in 24th position,[3] after Perkins qualified the car in 20th position.[4]
Come theSuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Price took over the qualifying duties, and placed the car in 27th position for the race.[5] Perkins started the race, which ended at the end of the first lap, when race favouriteMark Skaife suffered a slippingclutch off the start line, which caused his No. 2Holden Racing TeamCommodore to fall to the tail of the field. Perkins, arriving blind over the hump in Mountain Straight ploughed into the back of Skaife's ailing car, putting it out on the spot. Perkins limped around to the pits missing a front left wheel, and with an hydraulic brake line on fire. It did not continue in the race.[5]
After the late and sudden departure of bothSteven Richards andPaul Dumbrell from the team at the end of 2006, Perkins and Price were elevated to the full-time championship drives forPerkins Engineering in 2007.[6] While it was not ideal for the inexperienced Perkins and Price to suddenly find themselves racing in the main series, while developing new cars, the timing of Richards and Dumbrell's departure left the team without an opportunity to sign an experienced "name" driver, all of whom had committed contracts for 2007.
Perkins had a mixed season in 2007, with some outstanding results such as qualifying in the top ten atWinton Raceway, coupled with many disappointing race exits whilst running in strong positions. Although he was generally keeping pace with the more highly ratedShane Price, Jack's performances behind the wheel were suffering towards the end of long stints behind the wheel. It was later found that Perkins was suffering from Type One Diabetes, as described further down in this article.
Perkins returned to the team in 2008 for the endurance races, partnered withNathan Pretty – finishing eighth at Phillip Island,[7] and eighth at Bathurst[8] – and eventually to the full-time drive from the Indy Grand Prix round of the season onwards, after the slide of form and eventual dumping of Shane Price from the team.[9] Price, who had already been dropped to the position of number two driver, following the arrival ofTodd Kelly at the beginning of 2008, was left without a drive. Perkins had already returned to competition in the 2008 Fujitsu Development Series, running aMack-sponsoredCommodore for Independent Race Cars Australia.[10]
After bringing his medical condition under control, Perkins competed in the Fujitsu V8 Development Series in aPerkins Engineering built car, but run by Independent Race Cars Australia in 2008, with a view to a return to a full-time drive in the main championship series in 2009.
Although starting the series strongly in Adelaide,[11] a mid-season slump saw his title chances slide. Seeking an improvement for the end of the season, the car was brought back into the Perkins Engineering workshops from the Bathurst round onwards. With better knowledge of the car, the engineers were able to help Perkins to some better results, culminating in a race[12] and round win at the final round atOran Park.[13] The end result was a fifth placing in the championship.[14]
Perkins returned to the main V8 Supercar championship in 2009 behind the wheel of the No. 11 Kelly Racing Commodore carrying sponsorship from Dodo Internet.[15] The deal was part of a merger and eventual takeover of Perkins Engineering by the new Kelly Racing. Jack's No. 11 car for 2009 was the car previously run by Todd Kelly atPerkins Engineering in 2008, chassis number PE047.[16]
The 2009 season was disappointing for Perkins. The new Kelly Racing team was the only four-car team in the series and results were thin. By season's end team leaders Rick and Todd Kelly were beginning to gain results but results for Perkins and the team's fourth car did not come and Perkins was not retained into 2010.
Perkins was without a drive for the 2010 season leaving him to pursue a role withPaul Morris Motorsport as a signwriter. This eventually led to a part-time return to the second-tierFujitsu V8 Supercar Series in a spare PMM Commodore chassis with limited support from the main team. Perkins's performances in the second tier series where strong enough to earn him a call-up to James Rosenberg Racing for the 2010 Philip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000, pairing with Tim Slade.
Jack's continued strong 2010 form led to Paul Morris Motorsports team owner, Paul Morris, deciding to personally step down from his own driving duties at the Gold Coast round of the championship where he was scheduled to drive with Russell Ingall to allow Perkins to take over the drive. This stirred the sports traditionalists as it re-ignited the famous "Perkins – Ingall" partnership which Jack's father Larry shared with Russell Ingall, which led to two Bathurst 1000 crowns. The two drivers worked well together and performed strongly at the event which led to Paul Morris deciding to sign Perkins to compete in the 2011 Philip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000, again pairing with Russell Ingall.
Perkins' strong performances in the Fujitsu series in 2010 led to a drive withJames Rosenberg Racing for the 2010 endurance races. Perkins andTim Slade finished the Phillip Island 500 in a strong fifth position equalling the team's best sprint race performance from earlier in the season.
Perkins signed a deal with Sonic Motor Racing to compete in the2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series with support from Bob Jane T-Marts, Supercheap Auto, Acu-check and Castrol, using aBF Falcon built byTriple Eight Race Engineering.
Perkins signed withGarry Rogers Motorsport, to partnerAlexandre Premat for the 2012 V8 Supercar endurance events at the Dick Smith Sandown 500 and Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Perkins returned to GRM for the 2013 V8 Supercars Pirtek Endurance Cup alongside full-time rookie,Scott McLaughlin. The duo matched Perkins previous best result with an 8th at Bathurst. The No. 33 Commodore was looking strong in the Pirtek Endurance Cup until an electrical issue dogged there challenge at the Armor All Gold Coast 600.
Following the opening round of the2013 Dunlop V8 Supercar Series at the Clipsal 500, it was announced that Perkins would drive an Eggleston Motorsport Commodore at the second round at Barbagallo Raceway. Perkins finished the championship fourth in the driver's standings even though he missed the opening round in Adelaide.
On 19 December 2013, it was announced that Perkins would pilot the No. 18 Jeld WenFord FG Falcon for the2014 International V8 Supercars Championship Series. The2014 Clipsal 500 marked his return to full-time driving since 2009. He was dropped at the end of the season in favour ofLee Holdsworth. Bathurst was the main highlight of the year, with Perkins qualifying in the top ten and making the shootout. A mistake made on the final corner took him to grid position 9, although he was on track to be around position 6. In the late stages of the race, the car was running in the top five, with a chance for a podium result. However, due to a mistake in pit lane whilst re-entering traffic, they were given a penalty. They later finished twelfth.
Perkins stepped back from full-time driving inSupercars' top category in 2015 to sign with theHolden Racing Team as a co-driver for thePirtek Enduro Cup. Winning the Gold Coast 600 withJames Courtney in 2015. The pair continued for five years, another podium finish at the Gold Coast in 2018 and in 2019, Perkins collected his first Bathurst podium, finishing in third place in the No. 22Holden ZB Commodore forWalkinshaw Andretti United.
On May 22, 2025, it was announced that Perkins would make hisNASCAR debut, driving in theXfinity Series forJoe Gibbs Racing atPortland International Raceway.[17][18] It was announced on June 26 that Perkins would make his NASCAR debut earlier driving for JGR at theChicago street course race.[19]
Shortly before the penultimate round of the 2007 V8 Supercars Championship Series, Perkins was diagnosed withType One Diabetes,[20] which forced him to step down from the full-time drive of the No. 11Perkins EngineeringCommodore. His place was taken byMarcus Marshall for the final two rounds, as Marshall had had a stint with the team in the 2007 endurance races and was familiar with the team and cars.[21]
Perkins gained control over his condition in 2008 and after passing tests for his fitness to regain his racing licence from the governing body of motorsports inAustralia,CAMS, he returned to the track in theV8 Supercar Development Series.
Perkins has become a spokesperson forDiabetes Australia, and has held several events to raise money for DA,[22] and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.[23] He maintains personal sponsorship from Accu-Chek, manufacturers of blood sugar test equipment.
Perkins has spent time as a television commentator, often being an analyst for categories such as theDunlop V8 Supercar Series,Australian GT Championship, as well asspeedway'sWorld Series Sprintcars.
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Car | Co-driver | Position | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Perkins Engineering | Holden Commodore VZ | DNF | 1 | |
| 2007 | Perkins Engineering | Holden Commodore VE | DNF | 102 | |
| 2008 | Perkins Engineering | Holden Commodore VE | 8th | 161 | |
| 2009 | Kelly Racing | Holden Commodore VE | 14th | 160 | |
| 2010 | James Rosenberg Racing | Ford Falcon FG | 18th | 161 | |
| 2011 | Paul Morris Motorsport | Holden Commodore VE | 8th | 161 | |
| 2012 | Garry Rogers Motorsport | Holden Commodore VE | 16th | 161 | |
| 2013 | Garry Rogers Motorsport | Holden Commodore VF | 8th | 161 | |
| 2014 | Charlie Schwerkolt Racing | Ford Falcon FG | 12th | 161 | |
| 2015 | Holden Racing Team | Holden Commodore VF | 11th | 161 | |
| 2016 | Holden Racing Team | Holden Commodore VF | 13th | 161 | |
| 2017 | Walkinshaw Racing | Holden Commodore VF | 19th | 147 | |
| 2018 | Walkinshaw Andretti United | Holden Commodore ZB | DNF | 33 | |
| 2019 | Walkinshaw Andretti United | Holden Commodore ZB | 3rd | 161 | |
| 2020 | Brad Jones Racing | Holden Commodore ZB | DNF | 149 | |
| 2021 | Erebus Motorsport | Holden Commodore ZB | 20th | 150 | |
| 2022 | Erebus Motorsport | Holden Commodore ZB | 10th | 161 | |
| 2023 | Erebus Motorsport | Chevrolet Camaro Mk.6 | 8th | 161 | |
| 2024 | Blanchard Racing Team | Ford Mustang S650 | 21st | 160 |
| Year | Team | Co-drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | HSV VXR Coupe | C | 230 | 15th | 4th | ||
| 2022 | Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo | A–GT3 Pro-Am | 33 | DNF | |||
| Year | Team | Co-drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | BMW 335i E92 | B1 | 112 | 8th | 1st |
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| NASCAR Xfinity Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | NXSC | Pts | Ref | ||
| 2025 | Joe Gibbs Racing | 19 | Toyota | DAY | ATL | COA | PHO | LVS | HOM | MAR | DAR | BRI | CAR | TAL | TEX | CLT | NSH | MXC | POC | ATL | CSC 32 | SON | DOV | IND | IOW | GLN | DAY | PIR 31 | GTW | BRI | KAN | ROV | LVS | TAL | MAR | PHO | 64th | 17 | [24] | ||