James Courtney’s glittering Supercars career seemed over in March but there is life in the Ford veteran yet.

The 39-year-old secured his first podium since joining Tickford Racing in May by finishing second in the opening race of the Darwin Triple Crown.

The 2010 series champion used every bit of his experience to survive Saturday’s carnage at Hidden Valley, with crashes and multiple safety cars called.

Courtney said he became emotional after the race, which Penrite Racing young gun Anton de Pasquale secured for his maiden career win.

“It’s been pretty full on, for a lot of reasons,” Courtney said of his 2020 season.

“It was good to have the release. I’m the guy that’s going crazy and crying and all sorts of stuff.

“I can’t really hide my emotions, but we’ll celebrate this one pretty hard.”

Courtney walked out on Team Sydney after the season opening Adelaide 500, having ended a long association with Walkinshaw Andretti United at the end of 2019.

He took the Tickford spot vacated by two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Will Davison earlier this year.

Courtney has more opportunities for further success on Sunday, with two 38-lap races to complete the first of back-to-back rounds in Darwin.

The big guns, Scott McLaughlin, Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen, will be desperate to atone for a horrendous opening day.

Ford flyer McLaughlin began the race in pole but was issued a 15-second penalty to plummet to 20th, while fellow title contenders Whincup (17th) and van Gisbergen (11th) were well off the pace.

McLaughlin needs one more victory to move to fifth on the all-time race wins list on 48 alongside the legendary Peter Brock.