Team 18 Confirms 2026 Supercars Lineup, Homologation Status, and Wildcard Entry
Team 18 has confirmed its driver pairings and major sponsorships for the 2026 Supercars season, alongside its new status as the General Motors homologation team.
The announcements detail new co-driver arrangements, including James Courtney joining David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth partnering with Anton De Pasquale. In addition, an Enduro Cup wildcard entry featuring Craig Lowndes and Bayley Hall has been revealed.
Team 18 Becomes GM Homologation Team
Team 18 has assumed the role of the General Motors homologation team for the Supercars series, following Triple Eight's transition to Ford. Anton De Pasquale is designated to lead the team, with his car featuring a new Chevrolet pattern reflecting its factory status.
Team owner Charlie Schwerkolt noted De Pasquale's 2025 performance and stated anticipation for further improvement in 2026 in the team's new capacity as Chevrolet Racing homologation partner.
2026 Driver Lineup Confirmed
Car #18: De Pasquale & Holdsworth Team Up
Anton De Pasquale will be partnered by Lee Holdsworth for endurance events. De Pasquale finished eighth in the 2025 championship, his first year with the team.
De Pasquale stated that continuity with engineer Andrew Donnelly is crucial given the widespread changes across the pit lane.
He also expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Holdsworth, citing Holdsworth's 22 years of Bathurst experience. Holdsworth, in turn, expressed anticipation for a positive dynamic with the four-driver roster.
Car #20: Reynolds Joins Forces with Courtney
David Reynolds will be joined by James Courtney for endurance races. Reynolds, 40, is the oldest full-time driver in the Supercars field and commented on the value of experience in the category.
Courtney, 45, transitions to a co-driver role after a full-time season and will also take on a role with Supercars TV broadcasts. Courtney stated that the co-driver role with Reynolds represents a new challenge and emphasized their combined experience for endurance races.
Reynolds stated his anticipation for partnering with Courtney, citing their similar physical size and driving styles, and referred to Courtney's positive impact on the team.
Lee Holdsworth, who co-drove with Reynolds to secure second place in the Bathurst 1000 in the previous year, has been moved to De Pasquale’s car following Courtney's arrival.
Key Sponsorships for 2026
Snowy River Caravans will serve as the primary sponsor for Car #20, featuring David Reynolds and James Courtney. Tradie will maintain visible sponsorship positions on Car #20. Anton De Pasquale's car will continue to display DeWalt and Cub Cadet branding.
Enduro Cup Wildcard: Lowndes and Hall to Race
Team 18 will enter a Supercheap wildcard in the Enduro Cup, with the car to be driven by Craig Lowndes and Bayley Hall. This entry signifies the transfer of the Supercheap Auto-backed wildcard program from Triple Eight to Team 18. Harri Jones, who co-drove with De Pasquale in 2025, is no longer part of the lineup.
Craig Lowndes, a seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner, drove for a Supercars team other than Triple Eight for the first time in two decades during a corporate ride day at Sydney Motorsport Park, test-driving De Pasquale’s Camaro.
Lowndes stated that Team 18 operates efficiently and described the car as "nice" to drive, noting "little, small differences" from his previous experience that he considered positive. He highlighted the steering input, weight of the steering, and the car's solid feel, adding that the ergonomics of De Pasquale’s car felt familiar.
Bayley Hall, an ex-Carrera Cup racer and Super2 debutant, also completed his first laps in Gen3 hardware during the ride day. Lowndes reported that Hall noted a significant difference in mechanical grip between the Super2 Commodore and the Gen3 Chevy, and stated Hall expressed excitement and comfort with the new car.
Recent Performance and Technical Adjustments
Team 18 commenced the 2026 season with Anton De Pasquale securing a victory on Saturday night in Sydney, marking General Motors' initial account for the season.
Lowndes commented on the importance of this win for setting a standard and building momentum, stating it indicated promise within the team regarding the car's performance.
Technical director Geoff Slater will engineer the #20 entry, replacing Richard Hollway, who will remain with the team.