Craig Lowndes will continue racing for at least another two endurance campaigns after agreeing to spearhead a Team 18-fielded wildcard entry in a boost for General Motors.
Three-time Supercars champion Lowndes had already announced he will conclude a 21-year-old partnership with Ford-bound Triple Eight at the end of this season to remain an ambassador GM, for which Team 18 was confirmed earlier this year as the homologation squad.
The decision plunged his racing future into doubt, the 51-year-old seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner having been tied to Triple Eight’s wildcard program, which the Banyo juggernaut will cease supporting this year.
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Lowndes has been a key part of the Supercheap Auto-sponsored entry for the last four seasons, during which time he’s acted as a mentor for an inexperienced co-driver.
Last year he partnered Erebus young gun Cooper Murray in the enduros, while this year he’s joining reigning Super2 champion Zack Bates behind the wheel.
Championship leader Broc Feeney is also an alumni of the program, albeit before Lowndes began his involvement.
But General Motors has confirmed the wildcard program will continue with Team 18 from next season, keeping fan-favourite Lowndes on the grid until at least the end of 2027.
“It’s an exciting time ahead,” Lowndes said. “The Supercheap Auto wildcard program has grown from strength to strength during my time at Triple Eight. The young kids now look to it as a strong pathway to a future in the sport — we have seen that with previous years and teammates.
“To be continuing the program for the next two years with Team 18 and GM is a great thing.
“Joining Team 18 was the right move for me, being the new homologation team, and my strong relationship with GM.
“It’s going to be a big change joining a new team after so many years, but there are a lot of familiar faces in there.
“Seeing what Team 18 and Charlie have built in their workshop, it’s first class.”
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Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt said it was an “incredible honour” to include Lowndes on his driver roster.
“To go from starting as a single-car customer entry in 2013 to building a team from the ground up to now running a wildcard for one of the most legendary names in Supercars, it’s a proud moment for every person in our organisation,” he said.
“We’ll be throwing everything at this program to ensure it’s competitive from day one. The standard set by Triple Eight with this wildcard over the past few years has been exceptional, and we’re committed to carrying that legacy forward.
“What makes this program so special is not just having Craig behind the wheel but the opportunity it creates to develop the next generation of Supercars stars.
“We’ve seen the wildcard pathway bring names like Broc Feeney and Cooper Murray into the spotlight, and we’re excited to play a part in unearthing the sport’s future talent.
“Our next step is to identify a rising star to pair with Craig, assemble the right crew, and build a program that can challenge at Bathurst and the Bend.”
Chevrolet Racing general manager Chris Payne said continuing the wildcard entry was central to GM’s talent pipeline.
“Chevrolet Racing is proud of our ongoing involvement in what is now widely considered the benchmark program for young driver development in Supercars,” he said. “This is a testament to the legacy of the program built over the last five years by Triple Eight and Supercheap Auto, which is widely considered a first-class example in Australian motorsport for the recognition and development of future talent.”
“As a long-term ambassador for GM and Chevrolet Racing, it’s fantastic to have Craig Lowndes continue to lead the program into this new era.
“The selection of Team 18 to run the wildcard further reinforces their appointment as GM’s homologation partner, and we look forward to continuing this journey with them and Supercheap Auto.”
No co-drivers have been named as part of the announcement, while a race number will be confirmed next season.
“That’s still up for discussion, but we’ve got a few iconic and creative options in the mix,” Schwerkolt said.
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