A follow up announcement three hours later from GM has now ensured the seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner will stay with the “General.”
Lowndes, 50, started his ATCC career memorably in 1994 for the Holden Racing Team and stayed there winning the 1996 Great Race and three titles before a shock move to Ford in 2001.
It was in blue colours where Lowndes’ Triple Eight dynasty began in 2005, but five years later he was back racing Holdens.
Since 2010 Lowndes’ relationship with GM grew stronger than ever as since his full-time retirement in 2018 he has become the ambassador for its Aftersales brands spearheaded by AC Delco.
Due to being close to Triple Eight on the track and GM off it, with the most successful Supercars team returning to Ford in 2026, a tug-of-war for the smiling fan favourite was sparked and Chevrolet has won out.
“We are thrilled to continue our long-term relationship with Craig Lowndes,” said Chris Payne, General Manager Marketing Aftersales & Chevrolet Racing.
“Craig is the perennial fan favourite – even to this day, some 30 years after his debut.
“He has become the face of ACDelco to our loyal GM Trade customers. We have exciting plans for the years ahead, that will result in us working even more closely with Craig on GM Aftersales initiatives and Chevrolet Racing.”
Lowndes will enjoy two final races with Triple Eight alongside Zach Bates in the Supercheap Auto wildcard at The Bend and Bathurst.
But what his racing future looks like beyond this year is unclear with the GM statement not giving away anything.
“Craig Lowndes confirmed today his commitment to GM, following the announcement that he will not renew his contract with Triple Eight Race Engineering at the conclusion of the 2025 racing season,” the GM statement read.
“The ever popular, seven-time Bathurst winner has been an ambassador for GM’s Aftersales brands since 2018.
“In what is considered one of the longest running and most successful commercial athlete partnerships in Australia, Lowndes will continue to be the face of GM Aftersales including ACDelco – the most makes parts brand, the ACDelco GM Trade program, and other customer-based initiatives.
“In Supercars Lowndes will be focussed on this year’s enduro campaign, in the Supercheap Auto Wildcard Camaro ZL1, alongside Zach Bates.”
However, Lowndes himself hinted “we have a plan for the future and that plan includes continuing to drive competitively.”
Not long ago many assumed Lowndes will finish his career at Triple Eight, but now it will be fascinating to see what chapter is next.
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