Photo: Supercars

Scott Pye to race for Team 18 in 2020

Team 18 has confirmed that Scott Pye will join its expanded two-car outfit in the 2020 Supercars Championship after the announcement yesterday that the 29-year-old will leave Walkinshaw Andretti United at the end of the season.

After running as a single-car operation since 2016, Charlie Schwerkolt’s Team 18 will put Pye in its second car, alongside Mark Winterbottom, after securing a second Racing Entitlement Contract from Kelly Racing who will scale back in 2020.

A one-time race winner in 2018 with WAU, Pye says he’s excited to move to Schwerkolt’s squad and is looking forward to the dynamic between himself and the team.

“I am really excited to be joining Team 18 in 2020, they’re a young team but at the same time they have already had a taste of success, and it’s refreshing to see what they have been able to achieve so far,” Pye said.

“I was immediately excited by the opportunity and I could see it would be a good fit for me.

“I am looking forward to working alongside Charlie, Mark and the rest of the team, to help them grow and move us to the front of the grid.

“Charlie’s intentions are very clear, and he is extremely motivated, so it will be great to be part of the team working together for one goal.”

Schwerkolt says Pye is the right man to put in the second seat and he will compliment Winterbottom in the larger team.

“It’s a massive step to expand Team 18 to a two-car operation next year and I think Scott is the right person to get the job done for all our partners and crew at Team 18,” Schwerkolt said.

“Scott’s ability on-track is on the way up in the prime of his career and I’m confident the best is yet to come.

“He will make a great teammate for Frosty and we’re really excited to have him join the team in 2020 and beyond.”

Pye currently sits 14th in the driver’s championship, one spot behind Winterbottom who took Team 18’s first pole in Supercars at Symmons Plains earlier in the season.