Retiring legend knows it’s time
Fan fave Lowndesy denies whispers he’ll do a Farnsey and come back
CRAIG Lowndes will stay retired from Supercars for no more than a year.
Already, that’s the whisper along pit lane.
“And yes,” the Triple Eight legend grins, “I’ve heard it”. Understand it too, right? Especially considering you come into this weekend’s Newcastle 500 – apparently your farewell after some 23 years of Aussie motoring excellence – as not only as the reigning Bathurst 1000 champ, but fourth in the Supercars title race.
Better than anyone not driving a Red Bull Racing car – or named Scotty McLaughlin.
And, OK, so your hair is a little more salt than pepper these days. Just as at 44, some rivals are less than half your age.
But on track, you’re still beating far more than Father Time. Driving like you stole it. And isn’t racing your entire life?
So what chance Lowndesy, you’ll go all Farnsey next year, or the one after, and come smiling back?
“No, never going to happen,” he says. “After this weekend, my days of full-time driving are done. Which is nice, stepping away while still being competitive.
“I’m grateful to make this decision myself, rather than having it forced upon me.”
Indeed, since arriving in 1996, Lowndes has seen more than one old driver go out in far uglier circumstances.
“Whatever the reason, I’ve seen drivers go one, even two years too long. So for me, it’s the right time.
“Having done everything I can in Supercars, it’s ‘what else is out there for me?’.”
Apart from staying on as a Triple Eight co-driver, Lowndes will also throw himself into other opportunities like driving the Le Mans 24 Hours.
And as for one day becoming a Supercars team owner?
“No, not at all,” the Holden great says. “Giving directions, firing someone … that’s not me.”
But what is Lowndes, undoubtedly, is relatable to Aussie race fans like no driver since Peter Brock.
So who takes his “fan-favourite” mantle?
“I look at somebody like Chaz Mostert, who has great ability, a great personality,” Lowndes says. “And Davey Reynolds, (laughs) he just needs to keep a cap on his personality.
“But really there’s any number of young guys, it’s just up to them if they want to take that on. And by take it on I mean giving back.
“People say I’m a Peter Brock because of the way I carry myself. And while we share a lot of the same traits, I’ve never tried to be Peter.
“I’ve just always tried to compete, stay consistent, smile – even on the bad days – and give back. That, and every time you return to the garage, know you’ve given it everything.
“And to now leave on those terms, it’s good closure for me.”