Photo: Triple Eight

Craig Lowndes announces retirement from full-time racing

Australian racing legend Craig Lowndes has announced his retirement from full-time racing after the 2018 Supercars championship season.

“I’ve always said there are two key factors keeping me racing and those are my motivation to keep getting up and doing what I love and my competitiveness, and for me, nothing has changed,” said Lowndes.

“But at the same time I want to make sure I finish my last full-time season with some strong results in the bag and after this year’s results so far Roland and I came to the decision between us that this will be my last full season behind the wheel.”

Lowndes is currently driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering and has done so for more than 13 years.

“It will be an extremely emotional day on Sunday of Newcastle when Craig heads out for his final race as a full-time driver, but we’re delighted that he’s chosen to stay with Triple Eight next year and hopefully into the future. He’s a massive part of the team here and has played a huge role in making Triple Eight what it is today,” said team manager Roland Dane.

Lowndes has claimed three Supercars titles, six Bathurst 1000 victories and over 100 individual race wins.

“Craig Lowndes is not only the most recognisable face within Supercars, but he’s a role model and hero of the sport,” said Sean Seamer, CEO of Supercars.

“He’s a true legend of Australian sport. As an enduro driver, I have no doubt Craig will continue to be a regular visitor to the podium. As an ambassador to the sport, in whatever capacity he chooses, Craig will be a fundamental part of the Supercars family for many years to come and the entire Australian sporting landscape will be saddened to see him hang his helmet up after the last race of the year, but we won’t be allowing him to disappear from the paddock.”