Team 18 confirms Supercars expansion for 2020
Team 18 has confirmed that it will field two Holdens in Supercars next season.

Having operated as a standalone single-car squad since 2016, the Melbourne-based operation will go through its second significant shake-up in as many season heading into 2020.
Last year owner Charlie Schwerkolt moved to a full Triple Eight customer model, and tempted long-time Ford star Mark Winterbottom into switching sides.
This time the focus is on expansion, Winterbottom set to pick up a teammate thanks to the purchase of a second Racing Entitlements Contract from Kelly Racing.
It's yet to be confirmed who will drive the second Team 18 Holden.
“I’m really excited to be able to share that we will be growing Team 18 into a two-car operation in 2020,” said team owner Charlie Schwerkolt.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now, I feel that the timing is right for the whole team and I’m really excited to have two cars on track and two garages in pitlane next year.”
Today is REC deadline day in Supercars, with teams needing to commit an entry for 2020.
Trading between teams can continue beyond 5pm today, but RECs can no longer simply be handed back to Supercars.
With KR downsizing to two cars, its second available REC is on its way to Matt Stone Racing – which was at the end of its two-year lease deal on Jason Bright's REC.
Leases are not allowed to run for more than two years at a time.
The Bright REC is understood to be heading back to Brad Jones Racing to underpin a fourth entry, Jack Smith expected to join the team.
One big question mark is the future of Garry Rogers Motorsport's Supercars programme, the team set to decide today whether it rolls the dice on entering its two RECs as its major sponsor continues it stand-off with Supercars officials over control uprights.
It's feasible that GRM could hand its licences back to Supercars and disappear from the grid.

Previous article
McLaughlin: 'We won Bathurst fair and square'
Next article
Saturday hearing for alleged Penske Bathurst breach

About this article
Series | Supercars |
Drivers | Mark Winterbottom |
Teams | Team 18 |
Author | Andrew van Leeuwen |
Team 18 confirms Supercars expansion for 2020
Trending
Sam Brabham drives BT-19 at Mount Panorama
Todd Kelly builds André's Bathurst 1000 engine
Can DJR still be a Supercars powerhouse after Penske?
Roger Penske's whirlwind Australian Supercars sojourn is over. After six seasons, three drivers' titles, three teams' championships and a Bathurst 1000 crown, The Captain has sold his controlling stake in Dick Johnson Racing back to the squad and walked away from the category.
Can Whincup be Triple Eight's ruthless leader?
Supercars' most successful team of the past 15 years is set for a radical shakeup next year when Jamie Whincup retires from driving and takes over the reins at Triple Eight. But does he have what it takes to be the new Roland Dane?
How a lifetime Supercars deal broke down in one year
David Reynolds inked what was effectively a lifetime deal with Erebus in 2019 – only to walk out a year later. What went wrong?
Why Supercars now needs a new "human salt harvester"
Scott McLaughlin has been a controversial figure in Supercars over the past few years but, as he heads off to a fresh challenge in IndyCar, the Australian tin-top series needs to find someone else to fill his drama-filled boots as the category enters a new era...
Why 2020 isn't McLaughlin's greatest title
Scott McLaughlin was quick to describe his third Supercars title as his best yet. But even though it didn't match the dramatic backstory of his 2018 triumph, there's a good reason for him wanting to control the narrative this time around.
Why a Bathurst finale is risky business for Supercars
The Bathurst Grand Final may provide Supercars its greatest spectacle yet – but there's a risk it will force the series to face a hard truth.
Why Scott McLaughlin must become an IndyCar driver
Scott McLaughlin, two-time and current Supercars champion, should have been making his NTT IndyCar Series debut for Team Penske at the GP of Indianapolis, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced a rescheduling that has put the brakes on his career switch. But David Malsher-Lopez explains why the New Zealander deserves this opportunity as soon as possible.
Tickford's 10-year wait for James Courtney
When the Supercars season resumes James Courtney will be a Tickford Racing driver – but it's not the first time the star driver has flirted with the famous Ford squad.