After two decades of success, Craig Lowndes and Triple Eight Race Engineering have made the “very tough decision” to part ways at the end of 2025.
After being hinted by Auto Action, the big news comes after Triple Eight announced it will make the big switch from Chevrolet back to Ford next year.
Whilst Lowndes has been the face of Triple Eight since 2005 and been one of the biggest reasons behind the team’s rise to becoming the most successful ever.
But the team’s switch to Ford created a tug-of-war for Lowndes’ signature with the three-time champion also having deals with Chevrolet and some of its commercial partners.
With the veteran’s contract coming to an end this year, he has decided to stick to GM, the brand he started his journey in Supercars with all the way back in 1994.
It marks the end of the longest running driver and team partnership in ATCC/Supercars history.
Lowndes arrived at a then unproven Triple Eight in 2005 and despite no Betta Electrical driver finishing no higher than 19th in 2004, he took just four rounds to take a historic maiden win at Eastern Creek.
The rest is history with 58 of Lowndes’ 110 Supercars wins taking place with Roland Dane’s squad.
He fell just short of the Supercars title in 2005, 2006 and 2013, but most memorably claimed a famous hat-trick of Bathurst 1000 wins with Jamie Whincup from 2006-2008 before reclaiming the Peter Brock Trophy in 2015 and 2018.
Since retiring from full time duties in 2018, Lowndes has stayed at Triple Eight as a co-driver where for the last three years he has driven a Supercheap Auto Wildcard mentoring a young talent.
Lowndes said it was not an easy call having enjoyed so much success and longevity at Triple Eight.
“I have nothing but good feelings and great memories from my time at Triple Eight,” Lowndes said.
“I have nothing but respect for them as a race team, engineering organisation and importantly the people with in – at all levels.
“This has been a very tough decision and one that has taken a lot of time and thought to work through.
“Loyalty has always been a key factor in my time with Triple Eight, but at this stage of my career I think it is the best decision to make for my future.
“It is rare that anyone works with the same people for ten years, let alone twenty, so to be able to look back on two decades with the same racing team and all the memories we have shared along the way is very special.
“To be part of the team from their formative years and through to them becoming the powerhouse they are today has been the most fulfilling part of my career And during that we have shared amazing success together and huge milestones in my career – I can only say ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been part of the journey, inside the team and beyond as well.”
Whincup, who is now Triple Eight’s Managing Director, thanked Lowndes for not only being a big part of the team, but also the seven-time champions career.
“Let’s all cast our minds back to 2005 when the great Craig Lowndes jumped into a Betta Electrical car, engineered by the late Campbell Little for Triple Eight,” Whincup said.
“That deadly combination went on to win Triple Eight’s first-ever race at Eastern Creek that year. One of many.
“From race wins to three-peats at the mountain, what an absolute privilege it’s been for us to provide you a race car to showcase your skills—a journey that’s continued much longer than we ever imagined.
“We can’t wait to celebrate this amazing partnership at Bathurst this year and can’t thank you enough for the incredible journey.
“May the Craig Lowndes/Triple Eight highlight reels live on forever!
“On a personal note, thanks for the ride, mate. You have been an incredible teammate, but more importantly, thank you for all the off-track laughs.
“I still can’t believe you smacked Jennifer Hawkins in the face trying to release a steering wheel!”
In regards to what is next, Lowndes said 2026 plans will be revealed soon, but is fully focused on his final Triple Eight drive with Zach Bates this year.
“We have a plan for the future and that plan includes continuing to drive competitively,” he said.
“However, right now 100% of my focus is on the Supercars enduros with Zach Bates in the Supercheap Auto Wildcard and doing the best job we can to get a result in both races.”
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