A poor start to the season – partly due to circumstances beyond Lowndes’ control – had fed rumours that Lowndes and Triple Eight might be parting ways at the end of the year, or even that Lowndes, who turns 43 this month, might retire altogether.

But Triple Eight Managing Director Roland Dane says there was ‘never a question mark’ over whether they wanted Lowndes to stay with the team.

“Craig really is part of the family here and it’s terrific that he wants to continue with us for another two years,” he said.

“We’ve achieved an awful lot during his time with Triple Eight and we aim to continue building on that into the future with more race wins and of course another Bathurst win.”

The six-time Bathurst winner will remain as the driver of the TeamVortex Commodore at least the end of the 2019 Supercars Championship season.

“I’m really happy to be staying with Triple Eight for at least another two years,” Lowndes said. “I’ve been here a long time now and we’ve enjoyed a great amount of success together over the years.

“I’ve always said that if I’m still motivated and I’m still competitive, then I’ll keep going. We finished fourth in the championship last year and I’m enjoying racing as much as I ever have, so it was a no-brainer for me to continue.

“Staying on with Triple Eight was always my first choice, so it’s a great feeling for the rest of this year knowing that I’m going to be continuing where I am for the foreseeable future.”

Lowndes is currently in his 13th consecutive season with the team. While so far he has been unable to add to the three Supercars titles he secured before joining Triple Eight in 2005, he has been runner up on six occasions, as well as scoring five of his six Bathurst wins with the Brisbane-based team.