DJR Team Penske’s #17 Ford will sport the colours of Western Star at Queensland Raceway for next weekend’s Coates Hire Ipswich Super Sprint.

The Western Star truck business is the second Penske company to be used as one of the car’s primary sponsors this year following MTU Detroit Diesel’s appearance at Barbagallo.

Taking over the local distributorship for Western Star marked Roger Penske’s first step back into the Australian business arena in mid-2013, eventually leading to his V8 Supercars interests.

In addition to Western Star, the team also says that the ‘maroon’ colour has been used to celebrate Queensland’s recent victory in the State of Origin series.

Announcing the Western Star branding at the team’s annual workshop open day, DJRTP managing director Ryan Story confirmed that both Scott Pye and Marcos Ambrose will take to the track at Ipswich.

“DJR Team Penske is proud to highlight one of the major Penske brands with primary sponsorship of the No. 17 Ford Falcon at the next round of the V8 Supercars Championship,” said Story.

“Western Star Trucks has featured on the car at every event this year, but this round it takes top billing.

“This is an important part of the team’s marketing strategy as we welcome another Penske affiliate company as a primary sponsor.

“Marcos Ambrose will run the car on Friday morning and Scott Pye will continue the main driving duties in Queensland and we are looking forward to hosting many Western Star Truck guests at the track over the weekend.”

Co-drivers have been given a dedicated practice session at both Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park, greatly helping the likes of Ambrose.

Apart from a handful of laps during Friday practice at Hidden Valley, Ambrose hasn’t driven a V8 Supercar since the Australian Grand Prix in March.