New Team 18 recruit Craig Lowndes will race with a new number, which holds significant as part of his traditional Wildcard program in 2026.
After handing Will Brown his regular #888 for the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship, Lowndes will return to using #15 for the Wildcard.
The #15 holds significance due to it being the number Lowndes used to make his Australian Touring Car Championship debut at Eastern Creek in 1996 as he went on to secure the first of three titles.
Lowndes also made his debut at Bathurst using the #015 in 1994 where he and Brad Jones finished second.
After returning from racing European F3000, Lowndes reassumed using #15 for another successful title run and added another ATCC crown in 1999.
Team 18 takes on the Wildcard program, which is designed to fast-track young drivers into Supercars through Lowndes’ mentorship and experience.
Lowndes is excited by the new chapter in his career.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Lowndes.
“I’ve spent almost two decades racing with 888, so to sit down with Charlie and talk about what comes next was exciting.
“The number 15 was the first one that came to mind because it’s where my Supercars career began back in 1996. To have the chance to return to it now, 30 years on, and to be able to do that with Team 18 is really special.
“I think fans are going to love it, because it brings back a lot of memories, not just for me, but for everyone who remembers those early years. To go full circle and come back to 15 after three decades is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Team 18 will run the Lowndes Wildcard alongside its two regular season entries at The Bend and Bathurst, with the co-driver to be confirmed on February 17.