Why the Supercheap Auto wildcard is so important for Triple Eight

Lowndes Murray Whincup supercheap triple 8 wildcard

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: April 16, 2024

After eight years without one, the annual Supercheap Auto wildcard has become one of the biggest parts of Triple Eight’s Supercars program.

After a one-off with international drivers in 2013, it was not until 2021 Triple Eight brought back its wildcard and since then it has returned each season.

The current guise backed by Supercheap Auto has been created to give youngsters a shot at taking on the might of Bathurst.

Now full-time star Broc Feeney was given a crack alongside a returning Russell Ingall in 2021 before it was moved to the #888 with Craig Lowndes and Declan Fraser in 2022 when they claimed the record P8 result for a wildcard.

Last year zane Goddard was given a crack and now in 2024 Super2 star Cooper Murray will have his chance to shine at Darwin, Sandown and Bathurst.

Triple Eight Race Engineering Team Principal Jamie Whincup said the wildcard is much more than just a novelty, being one of the most vital parts of the season.

“It is a huge part of our program,” Whincup told AUTO ACTION.

“This is our fourth year now and we have represented a huge brand in Supercheap Auto and are very grateful for that. It has been really good.

“Craig got the best wildcard result of P8 with Declan and we have also had some not great results which is motorsport but the program has always been a big highlight for us.

“We can’t wait to go again this year and push again in 2025.”

Whincup admitted it has ensured he is scouting for talent more and more, looking for the next big thing to put in the #888 Camaro.

“I am always hunting for the next best thing,” the seven-time champion said.

“We have our main game guys locked in for three years and are doing such a good job but I have to start the process of having a plan if one of them wants to move on.

“I am constantly looking for talent, as you can see that is my style.

“I probably jumped out of my seat earlier than I personally could have because there was an opportunity to bring a young kid into the sport.

“I get a lot of satisfaction from giving kids the opportunity I had from this great sport.

“We need Lowndes on the grid to get the mayor of Bathurst at Bathurst, but to team him up with an up and comer is fantastic.

“This year it is Cooper who is already doing such a good job and looking forward to what he will do.”

Like last year, it has been revealed that in addition to the traditional endurance season campaign, Murray will enjoy a full-time debut at the Indigenous Round at Hidden Valley on June 14-16.

Before that he will get familiar with the Supercheap Auto Gen3 Camaro at a Queensland Raceway Test day on May 28.

Don’t forget the latest issue of Auto Action will be available via subscription here or at selected outlets. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

CLICK THE IMAGE TO READ THE LATEST DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Podcast: Brodie Kostecki is back and the Auto Action RevLimiter is back to Wednesday Breakfast.

We talk about the return of Kostecki, the death of Bev Brock, and malaise overcoming F1. And then there’s all the latest news.. out now on your podcast app of choice or here Australia’s Leading Motorsport News Podcast | The RevLimiter

Listen to our latest episode on your podcast app of choice or here

Recent Stories

array ( 0 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 11, 'name' => 'Latest News', 'slug' => 'latest-news', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 11, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 0, 'count' => 13300, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 11, 'category_count' => 13300, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'Latest News', 'category_nicename' => 'latest-news', 'category_parent' => 0, )), 1 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 38, 'name' => 'Supercars', 'slug' => 'supercars', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 38, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => 'Supercars is the highest profile motorsport category in Australia', 'parent' => 0, 'count' => 4457, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 38, 'category_count' => 4457, 'category_description' => 'Supercars is the highest profile motorsport category in Australia', 'cat_name' => 'Supercars', 'category_nicename' => 'supercars', 'category_parent' => 0, )), 2 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 2029, 'name' => 'ZZZ-Email', 'slug' => 'email', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 2029, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 2031, 'count' => 4217, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 2029, 'category_count' => 4217, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-Email', 'category_nicename' => 'email', 'category_parent' => 2031, )), 3 => WP_Term::__set_state(array( 'term_id' => 2031, 'name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds', 'slug' => 'zzz-rssfeeds', 'term_group' => 0, 'term_taxonomy_id' => 2031, 'taxonomy' => 'category', 'description' => '', 'parent' => 0, 'count' => 3616, 'filter' => 'raw', 'cat_ID' => 2031, 'category_count' => 3616, 'category_description' => '', 'cat_name' => 'ZZZ-RSSFeeds', 'category_nicename' => 'zzz-rssfeeds', 'category_parent' => 0, )), )

Why the Supercheap Auto wildcard is so important for Triple Eight

Last year zane Goddard was given a crack and now in 2024 Super2 star Cooper Murray will have his chance to shine at Darwin, Sandown and Bathurst.

“Craig got the best wildcard result of P8 with Declan and we have also had some not great results which is motorsport but the program has always been a big highlight for us.

“We have our main game guys locked in for three years and are doing such a good job but I have to start the process of having a plan if one of them wants to move on.

“We need Lowndes on the grid to get the mayor of Bathurst at Bathurst, but to team him up with an up and comer is fantastic.

Podcast: Brodie Kostecki is back and the Auto Action RevLimiter is back to Wednesday Breakfast.

Recent Stories

On this day: Kelly the quiet achiever

Harris cruises to maiden TCR round win

Van Gisbergen locked in for All Star Race

F1 owners Liberty Media buys MotoGP