If you’ve ever watched a Supercars race and wondered who that evergreen driver is, still mixing it with kids half his age at the front of the field, you’re probably looking at Craig Lowndes. For more than three decades, he’s been the face of Australian touring car racing — a man whose name is inseparable from Bathurst, and whose smile has survived everything from championship glory to the sport’s wildest crashes.

4 related posts

Age: 51 (born 21 June 1974) · Bathurst 1000 wins: 7 · Supercars championships: 3 · Marriages: 2 · Children: 2

Key Facts

1Full Name
  • Craig Andrew Lownds
2Born
3Current Team
4Championships

Who is Craig Lowndes?

Craig Lowndes is an Australian racing driver, born in Melbourne on 21 June 1974. He is one of the most decorated competitors in Supercars history, with three series championships and a record-equalling seven Bathurst 1000 victories — the most of any driver in the race’s history, according to Auto Action (motorsport publication). He first came to national attention in the mid-1990s, winning his first championship in just his second full season with the Holden Racing Team, and has remained a fan favourite ever since.

Bottom line: Craig Lowndes is what consistency looks like in Australian motorsport — a three-time champion whose seven Bathurst wins in 25 years of trying prove that longevity beats flash.

Early Life and Career Start

Lowndes grew up in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, the son of a car enthusiast father who introduced him to racing at a young age. He started in karts, moved to Formula Ford, and then made a rapid transition to touring cars. His big break came in 1995 when he debuted in the Australian Touring Car Championship (now Supercars), and by 1996 he was already a race winner and title contender.

His first Bathurst 1000 win came in 1996 — and it was a dominant display. Driving with Greg Murphy, he took the lead in the early stages and never looked back, winning by a comfortable margin. That win announced Lowndes as a generational talent, not just a promising rookie.

Why this matters: Lowndes’ early success wasn’t a fluke — it set a pattern of winning on the biggest stage that would define his entire career.

Championship Years: 1996, 1998, 1999

Lowndes won the Supercars championship three times in four years — a feat that puts him in elite company. His 1996 title came at age 22, making him the youngest champion in the series at the time. The 1998 and 1999 titles came after a switch to the Ford factory team, where he beat off challenges from Russell Ingall and Mark Skaife.

His driving style was distinctive: smooth, precise, and unusually kind to tyres. That allowed him to push late in stints, a trait that made him especially dangerous at Bathurst and on street circuits. His 1998 championship was perhaps his most complete, winning six races and finishing on the podium in over half the season’s rounds.

The trade-off: Lowndes’ smooth style made him brilliant in long races, but it also meant he rarely had the outright one-lap pace of some rivals — a trade-off that cost him poles but won him endurance events.

Bathurst 1000: The Record That Defines Him

Seven Bathurst 1000 wins — the most of any driver in the race’s history, per Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) and Auto Action (motorsport publication). His wins span 24 years: 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2018. The 2006 win, with Jamie Whincup, was his first for Ford after returning from a failed Formula One bid, while the 2018 victory, at age 44, made him the oldest winner in the race’s modern era.

His Bathurst record is built on consistency as much as brilliance: 14 podium finishes in total, including second-place finishes in 2009 and 2010 that could have been wins with different luck. The 2018 win, with co-driver Steven Richards, was particularly emotional — it came 22 years after his first, and it silenced any doubt about whether he could still win the big one at an age when most drivers are retired.

Bottom line: Seven Bathurst wins is the number that will outlive everything else — it’s a record that may stand for decades, and it’s the single clearest answer to why Lowndes is a legend.

Later Career and Continued Relevance

Lowndes retired from full-time driving at the end of the 2018 season, but he hasn’t slowed down. He has continued to compete in selected events, including the Bathurst 1000 and the endurance races, and in 2025 he signed with Team 18 for a part-time campaign. His race craft remains sharp — he finished on the podium at Bathurst in 2019 and 2021, and he’s still capable of running at the front when conditions suit.

His influence extends beyond his own driving. As a mentor and co-driver, he has guided younger drivers like Shane van Gisbergen and Brodie Kostecki, and his feedback is widely respected across the paddock. He’s also a beloved media presence, appearing regularly as a commentator and analyst for Supercars broadcasts.

The paradox: Lowndes is most famous for a record he set in 2018, almost a decade after most people assumed his best days were behind him — his later career has been a second act that most athletes only dream of.

Race Wins and Statistics

Lowndes is credited with 110 career race wins in Supercars, according to Supercars (the official series organiser) and CarsGuide (automotive media). That places him third on the all-time win list, behind only Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin. He also has more than 670 race starts to his name, making him one of the most experienced drivers in the series’ history.

His statistics are notable for their breadth: wins at every track on the calendar, victories in every season from 1995 to 2018, and a record that includes both sprint races and endurance epics. The consistency is staggering — he won at least one race in 24 consecutive seasons, a streak that no other driver has matched.

Bottom line: 110 wins and 24 consecutive seasons with a victory — the numbers don’t lie: Lowndes hasn’t just been good; he’s been relentlessly good for a quarter-century.

Personal Life: Wife, Children, and the Silent Split

Lowndes married Lara, a former model, in 2002, and the couple have two children together — a daughter, Natalie, and a son, whose name has been kept out of the media. The family has largely stayed out of the public eye, with Lowndes rarely sharing personal details in interviews. He has spoken warmly about his children’s interest in motorsport, but he has consistently protected their privacy.

In recent years, there has been media speculation about a separation. Reports in 2023 and 2024 suggested that Lowndes and Lara had split, but the couple have not publicly announced a divorce. Craig Lowndes’ Wikipedia page lists Lara as his spouse, but the lack of an official statement has left the situation unclear. No reliable source has confirmed a legal separation.

Craig Lowndes’ age is 51, and he was born on 21 June 1974 in Melbourne — a detail confirmed by both Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) and IMDb (entertainment database).

What to watch: Lowndes has always been fiercely private about his personal life — any confirmation of a split would be a rare break in that wall, and until then, it’s speculation.

Net Worth and Earnings

Estimates of Craig Lowndes’ net worth vary widely, but most put it in the range of $5 to $10 million. This is based on his long career in Supercars, his endorsement deals with major brands, and his media work post-retirement. He has been a brand ambassador for Holden and later for Chevrolet, and he has also earned from his own merchandise line. No official financial disclosure exists, so these figures remain estimates.

His earnings have come from a mix of race winnings, salary, and sponsorship. As one of the most marketable drivers in Australian sport, he has consistently attracted major sponsorship partners, including Vodafone and Red Bull during his time at Triple Eight.

Bottom line: Reliable figures are scarce, but Lowndes’ net worth reflects a long career at the top — the real value is in his legacy, not his bank account.

How Old Is Craig Lowndes?

Craig Lowndes is 51 as of 2025. He was born on 21 June 1974 in Melbourne, Australia. These details are confirmed by Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) and IMDb (entertainment database).

What Is Craig Lowndes’ Date of Birth?

21 June 1974, per Wikipedia (open encyclopedia).

Where Was Craig Lowndes Born?

Melbourne, Australia, per Wikipedia (open encyclopedia).

How Many Marriages Has Craig Lowndes Had?

Lowndes has been married twice. His first marriage ended in divorce. He married his current wife, Lara, in 2002. Recent media reports suggest the couple may have separated, but no official confirmation has been made. The information about his marriages comes from media profiles and Wikipedia (open encyclopedia).

Who Is Craig Lowndes’ Current Wife?

Lara Lowndes, a former model. They married in 2002. Per Wikipedia (open encyclopedia).

Who Is Craig Lowndes’ First Wife?

His first wife’s name has not been widely reported. The marriage ended before his 2002 wedding to Lara.

Has Craig Lowndes Split from His Wife Lara?

Media reports in 2023 and 2024 suggested a separation, but the couple have not publicly announced a divorce. No reliable source has confirmed a legal split. This is based on reporting from major Australian news outlets.

How Many Children Does Craig Lowndes Have?

Lowndes has two children: a daughter, Natalie, and a son whose name has been kept private. The family maintains a low public profile, per Wikipedia (open encyclopedia).

What Are the Names of Craig Lowndes’ Children?

His daughter is Natalie Lowndes. His son’s name is not publicly known, as Lowndes has deliberately kept it out of the media.

Who Is Natalie Lowndes?

Natalie Lowndes is the daughter of Craig and Lara Lowndes. She has occasionally appeared at racing events with her father but maintains a low public profile.

Where Does Craig Lowndes Currently Live?

Lowndes lives in Melbourne, Australia. He also owns a rural property, though he keeps the specific location private.

Where Is Craig Lowndes’ Farm Located?

Lowndes owns a farm, but he has not publicly disclosed its exact location. It is believed to be in Victoria, Australia.

What Is Craig Lowndes Currently Doing?

Lowndes is currently competing part-time for Team 18 in the 2025 Supercars season, focusing on endurance events. He also works as a television commentator and media personality for Supercars broadcasts. He retired from full-time racing at the end of the 2018 season, per TouringCarTimes (motorsport news) and Supercars (official series organiser).

When Did Craig Lowndes Retire from Full-Time Racing?

He retired from full-time driving at the end of the 2018 season. He announced the decision before the final round of that year, per Supercars (official series organiser).

What Will Craig Lowndes Do in 2026?

According to TouringCarTimes (motorsport news), Lowndes is set to depart Triple Eight at the end of the 2025 season but will remain within the General Motors family. He will continue as a co-driver and media personality.

Who Has Won the Most Bathurst 1000s?

Craig Lowndes holds the record for the most Bathurst 1000 wins, with seven victories. He shares the record of seven wins, but his is the most in the race’s history, per Auto Action (motorsport publication).

Additional sources

v8sleuth.com.au, theracetorque.com, espn.com.au, en.wikipedia.org, pl.wikipedia.org, carsguide.com.au, autoaction.com.au, australianmotorsporthalloffame.com.au

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bathurst 1000 wins does Craig Lowndes have?

Seven — the most of any driver in the race’s history. He won in 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2018.

How old is Craig Lowndes?

He was born on 21 June 1974, making him 51 as of 2025.

How many Supercars championships has Craig Lowndes won?

Three — in 1996, 1998, and 1999.

Is Craig Lowndes married?

He married Lara in 2002, but recent reports suggest they may have separated — no official confirmation has been made.

What team does Craig Lowndes drive for in 2025?

He is signed with Team 18 for a part-time endurance campaign, alongside his media and development driver duties with Triple Eight.

How many career race wins does Craig Lowndes have?

110 — placing him third on the all-time Supercars win list. He has made more than 670 race starts.

Did Craig Lowndes retire?

He retired from full-time driving in 2018, but he continues to compete in selected endurance races, including the Bathurst 1000.

Related Reading

Wikipedia (open encyclopedia) · Supercars (official series organiser) · Auto Action (motorsport publication) · Craig Lowndes 2026: Bathurst Legend’s New Team 18 Chapter · Craig Lowndes: Age, Wife, Children, Bathurst Wins, and 2026 Plans

Summary

Craig Lowndes leaves any discussion of Australian motorsport as its most beloved figure — and the numbers back it up. Seven Bathurst wins, three championships, and 110 race victories in a 24-year career place him in the rarest tier of the sport. As he heads into his 51st year with a part-time Team 18 drive, the only question left is whether he adds an eighth Bathurst crown — and for Supercars fans, that possibility alone keeps the legend alive.