Racing legend Craig Lowndes will not continue with Triple Eight Race Engineering into its second Ford era in 2026.
Lowndes confirmed his departure this morning from the leading team, ending a 20-year association with the Queensland-based squad.
A statement was released by Lowndes stating: “Craig will continue to compete at a professional level in his career, with plans for 2026 and beyond to be announced in due course.”
Lowndes is expected to announce his allegiance to General Motors and will continue in the Repco Supercars Championship Enduro Cup events for at least the 2026 season.
It’s the latest in a slew of departures from Triple Eight following confirmation technical director Jeromy Moore will move to GM’s US base and long-time engine partner KRE will remain with Chevrolet.
“I have nothing but good feelings and great memories from my time at Triple Eight,” said Lowndes in a statement.
“I have nothing but respect for them as a race team, engineering organisation and importantly the people with it – 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.”
Joining Triple Eight ahead of its second full-season in 2005, Lowndes immediately rose the squad to title contenders and when current team principal Jamie Whincup moved across a year later, it proved a formidable partnership.
Although Lowndes didn’t add to his title count of three, he won six Bathurst 1000 races including a hat-trick between 2006-2008.
Retiring from full-time Supercars action at the end of 2018, Lowndes reunited with Whincup for a couple of Bathurst attempts before action as a mentor for Triple Eight’s Wildcard program.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Lowndes will race his last events as part of Triple Eight at The Bend 500 and Repco Bathurst 1000 later this year.