Lowndes’ emotions after Triple Eight farewell
By Thomas Miles
Date posted: 14 October 2025
One of the longest and most successful driver-team combinations came to an end at Bathurst for Craig Lowndes, who hailed the ‘incredible’ Zach Bates.
After two long and stunning decades littered with silverware, headlined by six Bathurst 1000 victories, Lowndes raced for Triple Eight for a 584th and final time since 2005.
He still produced an impressive drive alongside rookie Bates, securing a solid top 10 finish in docile conditions.
Lowndes had to get his elbows out against the likes of old rival Garth Tander early before rising in the rain, while Bates raced hard in the crazy final stints to snare 10th.
After 20 successful years, Lowndes admitted it was “sad” to realise he will not drive a Triple Eight prepared car again after claiming 92 wins with them.
But he said the big farewell is yet to come.
“I think to be honest, with the racing side of it done it is sad, knowing I won’t drive a Triple Eight car anymore,” Lowndes told Auto Action.
“We still have the rest of the season though and I am looking forward to getting to the Christmas Party and celebrating the 20 years I have spent with the team.
“We would have loved to have finished higher, but so would everyone else.
“Starting my last Bathurst 1000 with Triple Eight was one of those moments that I’ll always remember; it’s a chapter now closed after two decades.
“The quality of the car that the team build, the dedication and the performance that the team have had over those two decades is incredible.”
When Lowndes signed for Triple Eight back in 2004, many were shocked.
At that stage he was racing for the “Blue Oval’s” flagship factory team Ford Performance Racing, but had struggled since a wet win at Phillip Island in their second round together.
He was looking for a new home and turned to Triple Eight, which at that stage was an unknown quantity in its second season without a win.
But Roland Dane had a clear vision and Lowndes could see it and the rest is history.
After standing on the podium in their first race weekend at Adelaide, they were off and soon they were winning races and being just the second team to take three-straight Bathurst wins.
“You never know how long you will be in the category for when you sign, but it was one of the easiest contracts I have ever signed with Roland,” Lowndes reflected 20 years on.
“Now decades on Jamie (Whincup) and the team run it, but the amount of success we have collectively had was something Roland was always hopeful of.
“He had a dream and created it, which is quite incredible.”
The final driver Lowndes shared a Triple Eight car with is possible star of the future Bates.
The 2024 Super2 champion has impressed, showing flashes of speed and maturity since jumping into the Supercheap Auto Camaro at Ipswich.
In the build-up to his first Great Race, Bates tragically lost his mother, Ali.
Lowndes said Bates’ performance on and off the track was inspiring.
“No doubt (I am impressed). What he did and has done over the last week has been quite incredible,” Lowndes said of Bates.
“He held his head high and put his emotions of what he has been going through aside to focus on the race car.
“That is a credit to him. He had great support from the family and for him to do what he did was incredible.
“Zach drove the wheels off it, and I’m proud of him. It was great to have another successful wildcard campaign, and a top 10 at Bathurst is special.”
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