New sponsor for Lowndes

Caltex Australia is the new name sponsor for Craig Lowndes, following the decision by Triple Eight Racing to run a third car in the V8 Supercars Championship next year.

The TeamVortex Commodore will be sponsored by Caltex for a minimum of two seasons, according to a press release issued by the company overnight. Red Bull will continue to sponsor Triple Eight's other two Commodores, manned by Jamie Whincup and Shane Van Gisbergen.

Lowndes will continue to carry the number 888 on his car. Neither Caltex nor Triple Eight have said as much, but the win earlier this month at Bathurst may have been the tipping point for Caltex to get behind the well-liked veteran driver.