Craig Lowndes: Age, Wife, Children, Bathurst Wins, and 2026 Plans

When a racing legend announces a separation from his wife and a move to a new team in the same season, it’s a lot to take in. On 29 September 2025, Craig Lowndes and his wife Lara confirmed they had parted ways, asking for privacy, just weeks after the seven-time Bathurst winner revealed he would lead a wildcard entry for Team 18 in 2026.

Age: 50 (born 21 June 1974) · Bathurst 1000 wins: 7 · Supercars Championships: 3 · Current team: Team 18

Eight key facts, one pattern: Lowndes’ career spans raw achievement, personal change, and a carefully managed professional transition.

Has Craig Lowndes split from his wife Lara?

Yes – and it was officially confirmed. On 29 September 2025, Lowndes and his wife Lara publicly announced their separation in a joint statement. The news, first reported by Speedcafe, said the couple had “made this decision with sadness” and asked the media and public to respect their privacy. They added that they would “continue to work together positively.” Neither party has made further comment since.

The announcement ended roughly ten years of marriage, though the exact timeline of their separation remains private. A separate report on MSN characterised the split as coming after “about 10 years of marriage,” but that timeline is drawn from secondary coverage and has not been independently confirmed.

The implication: Lowndes has been careful to draw a boundary between his personal life and his racing career – a pattern that recurs throughout his public statements.

How many children does Craig Lowndes have?

Lowndes has three children: a son and two daughters. His eldest, Natalie Lowndes, is occasionally seen at track events. According to his Wikipedia biography, he and his wife Lara share parenting duties, though the children are rarely named publicly to protect their privacy.

Who is Natalie Lowndes’ partner?

Natalie Lowndes’ romantic relationship is not a matter of public record. No credible source has confirmed the identity of her partner, and the Lowndes family has not commented on the matter. The information remains in the “unclear” column.

The pattern: Lowndes keeps his family life distinctly separate from his motorsport persona – a choice that leaves many personal questions unanswered.

Where does Craig Lowndes currently live?

Lowndes resides on the Gold Coast in Queensland. His Wikipedia entry lists his home as Surfers Paradise, the Gold Coast’s iconic beachside suburb. Before moving north he lived in Melbourne, his birthplace.

How old is Craig Lowndes?

As of 2025, he is 50 years old. He was born on 21 June 1974 (Wikipedia).

The trade-off: The Gold Coast offers Lowndes a quieter environment away from the Melbourne media centre, but keeps him within driving distance of key Queensland racetracks.

What is Craig Lowndes currently doing?

In 2025 Lowndes is driving for Team 18 in the Supercars Championship, his first season with the team after 15 years at Triple Eight Race Engineering. He is also a regular commentator for Supercars television broadcasts.

What will Craig Lowndes do in 2026?

The biggest professional news is his move to a two-year wildcard program with Team 18 starting in 2026. The team announced on 12 August 2025 that Lowndes would pilot a Supercheap Auto–branded Chevrolet Camaro as a wildcard entry for the Enduro Cup. Speedcafe confirmed the deal covers 2026 and 2027.

The wildcard entry will revive the number 15 that Lowndes made famous early in his career. According to Speedcafe, the program is expected to follow a three-round model (one solo round – reportedly Queensland Raceway – plus two endurance races). Team 18 has already compiled a shortlist of co-drivers, though no name has been announced.

Why this matters: The wildcard model allows Lowndes to extend his career past 50 on his own terms – a rare luxury in professional motorsport.

Who is Craig Lowndes’ co-driver at the Bathurst 1000?

As of this writing, the co-driver for Lowndes’ 2025 Bathurst 1000 campaign has not been announced. Historically, Lowndes has partnered with dozens of drivers, including multiple‑time co‑driver Steven Richards and former teammate Jamie Whincup. The 2025 co-driver will be determined by Team 18 and is likely to come from the shortlist Speedcafe reported on.

The catch: The co‑driver decision is critical – Bathurst endurance races can be won or lost in the pits and with driver‑change timing. A strong pairing is non‑negotiable.

How many Bathurst 1000 titles has Craig Lowndes won?

Lowndes has won the Bathurst 1000 seven times (2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018), tying him for the most all‑time victories with fellow legend Peter Brock. His most recent win came in 2018 at the wheel of a Triple Eight Holden.

How many drivers were killed at Bathurst?

Since the race’s inception in 1960, there have been eight driver fatalities at the Mount Panorama circuit. The dangers are a sombre part of the track’s heritage, but modern safety improvements have significantly reduced the risk – no driver has died in the race since 1994.

The perspective: Lowndes’ seven wins place him in an elite group, but each victory also underscores the danger that every Bathurst champion has confronted.

Career timeline

• 21 June 1974 Born in Melbourne
• 1994 Debut in Australian Touring Car Championship
• 1996 First Supercars championship
• 1998 Second Supercars championship
• 1999 Third Supercars championship
• 2006 First Bathurst 1000 win
• 2010–2024 Racing for Triple Eight Race Engineering
• 2018 Seventh Bathurst 1000 win
• 2025 Joins Team 18
• 2026 Enduro Cup wildcard with Team 18

The timeline shows a career defined by long-term partnerships and strategic transitions, from Holden to Triple Eight, and now to Team 18.

“We have made this decision with sadness but with respect for our family, and we ask for privacy during this time.”

— Craig Lowndes and Lara Lowndes, joint statement to Speedcafe

“After a glittering 20-year career at Triple Eight, Craig Lowndes has a new home in Team 18 for the 2026 Ryco Enduro Cup.”

— Supercars.com, on the 2026 wildcard announcement

“He is the most successful driver in Australian motor sport history.”

— Craig Lowndes official website (cited on Wikipedia)

For now, the story of Craig Lowndes is one of deliberate transitions. His personal separation was handled with a quiet, professional statement. His career move from Triple Eight to Team 18 is equally measured – a two‑year wildcard that keeps him in the cockpit without the grind of a full season. For Australian motorsport fans, the choice is clear: watch a legend close out his career on his own terms, or wait for the next generation to step up.

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the most common points of curiosity about Lowndes’ career and personal life, though some details remain officially undisclosed.

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