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LOWNDES’ GREATEST VICTORIES
In a career that's included 300-plus rounds, Craig Lowndes became the face of Supercars. From his sudden rise as a rookie champion in 1996 to his wildcard starts today, these are his most memorable wins from his total of 110 victories.
1996
EASTERN CREEK
Lowndes had already stunned the establishment with his starring debut at Mount Panorama in 1994. Then he took the championship by storm in 1996. In the first round of the season at the short Eastern Creek layout, Lowndes harried John Bowe in the first race before getting the jump and scoring his first win in the second race. He backed that up with his second win under lights in the final race for a sensational round victory. He would go on to sweep the year with the championship plus Sandown and Bathurst victories.
1998
SANDOWN
Following his domination of the 1996 season, Lowndes ventured to Europe to compete in Formula 3000. After a character-building season, he returned home and claimed victory in the 1997 Sandown 500 with Greg Murphy in preparation for a full-time return from 1998. He then picked up exactly where he left off, claiming two of three races at the seasonopening Sandown round in an emphatic return to the championship.
1998
ORAN PARK
Lowndes wrapped up his first championship in 1996 with a round to spare. In 1998 he headed into the final round of the season at Oran Park with an in-form Russell Ingall just six points behind. Both had debuted their new VT Commodores the round before at Hidden Valley, but Ingall won the round while Lowndes’ car suffered a series of mechanical failures. Lowndes, however, lifted for the finale, claiming pole position and racing away to sweep the round with comfortable victories in all three races.
1999
ADELAIDE
Perhaps the most convincing of all of Lowndes’ wins was at the first Adelaide 500 round on the punishing street circuit. Lowndes won the first 250km leg despite a stop-go penalty for contact with privateer Danny Osborne. He was sent to the back of the grid for the second leg, only to work his way through the field without the aid of a safety-car intervention. While the heat and demands of the circuit took its toll on his rivals, Lowndes kept his cool for an incredible come-from-behind win. 28
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