Lowndes signs with Team 18

Seven-time Bathurst champion Craig Lowndes will join Team 18 and Chevrolet Racing to lead a Supercheap Auto-sponsored wildcard entry at the Supercars endurance races from 2026.

Lowndes, one of the most experienced drivers in Supercars’ history with over 300 event starts, is a three-time Series Champion. He remains deeply involved in the sport through his Supercars broadcast work and ambassador roles with Chevrolet Racing and ACDelco.

The wildcard entry will continue as a Chevrolet Camaro and will be fielded by Mount Waverley-based Team 18 as a satellite program alongside its two main game entries.

As the newly appointed Chevrolet Racing homologation partner, Team 18 will lead the next chapter of the Team Chevy alliance in Supercars.

Supercheap Auto has been a cornerstone of Australian motorsport since 2000 and served as naming rights sponsor of the Bathurst 1000 from 2005–2020. 

Since 2021, the Supercheap Auto wildcard program has become a hallmark of the Supercars enduro season, showcasing emerging talent such as Broc Feeney, Declan Fraser, Zane Goddard, Cooper Murray, and now reigning Super2 Series Champion Zach Bates. The program will once again look to select a young rookie driver to join Lowndes.

Details including the co-driver, race number, and personnel for the entry will be revealed next year.

 “It’s an exciting time ahead,” Lowndes said.

“The Supercheap Auto Wildcard program has grown from strength to strength during my time at Triple Eight. The young kids now look to it as a strong pathway to a future in the sport. To be continuing the program for the next two years with Team 18 and GM is a great thing.

“Joining Team 18 was the right move for me being the new homologation team and my strong relationship with GM. It’s going to be a big change – joining a new team after so many years, but there are a lot of familiar faces in there. Team 18 and Charlie have built a first class workshop.

“Supercheap Auto has very much shown its commitment to the program. I am excited to continue to work alongside them, GM and now Team 18 to help continue to develop young drivers on their path in motorsport.”

Chevrolet Racing General Manager, Chris Payne, said Chevrolet Racing is proud of its ongoing involvement in what is now widely considered the benchmark program for young driver development in Supercars.

“This is a testament to the legacy of the program built over the last five years by Triple Eight and Supercheap Auto, which is widely considered a first class example in Australian motorsport for the recognition and development of future talent,” he said.

“As a long term ambassador for GM and Chevrolet Racing, it’s fantastic to have Craig Lowndes continue to lead the program into this new era.

“The selection of Team 18 to run the wildcard further reinforces the team’s appointment as GM’s homologation partner. We are looking forward to continuing this journey with Team 18 and Supercheap Auto.”

Team 18 Owner Charlie Schwerkolt declared in an incredible honour to welcome Lowndes and Supercheap Auto to his team.

“To go from starting as a single-car customer entry in 2013, to building a team from the ground up, to now running a wildcard for one of the most legendary names in Supercars, it’s a proud moment for every person in our organisation,” he said.