Lowndes backs Murray in main game push

The work ethic of Super2 young gun Cooper Murray has impressed Craig Lowndes ahead of their enduro campaign in a wildcard Triple Eight Camaro.

Now in its fourth year, Triple Eight’s wildcard program has helped both Broc Feeney and Declan Fraser graduate into the main game after their wildcard campaigns in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Murray is a chance of joining said company, with Erebus Motorsport reportedly interested in securing the young Melburnian’s services for 2025 having done an evaluation day with them last year.

Having impressed on his solo debut in Darwin, making Sunday’s Top Ten Shootout, Murray enters the enduros having had a difficult season in Super2.

Despite securing pole at the opening round in Bathurst, Murray is a lowly 21st in the Super2 standings, not being classified in four of the six races.

In spite of his Super2 year to date, Murray’s willingness to travel and learn with Triple Eight has not gone unnoticed by the seven-time Bathurst winner.

"Cooper's doing a lot of great work behind the scenes,” Lowndes told Supercars.com.

“He comes to every race, sits on the debriefs and prebriefs. I've reflected on his Darwin experience, and it was quite incredible when you think about it.

"Part of my role is to give him the opportunity to showcase his talent. And if that's a springboard into the main game, which is what the program's all about, it's worked.”

Travelling alongside the Red Bull Ampol team isn’t unprecedented, with both Feeney and Fraser doing so in their wildcard seasons, alongside successful Super2 campaigns with Triple Eight.

Wildcard preparations for the Supercheap Auto-backed entry will ramp up after the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint, with Murray and Lowndes both testing next month.

The chassis was involved in a spectacular accident in Darwin, where Andre Heimgartner rode over the top of Murray on the first lap of Race 2.

The car has been fully repaired since, and Lowndes is also hopeful of Murray converting his speed into results in the back half of the Super2 season, currently led by Kai Allen.

“He's a great young talent. He just needs the opportunity to show what he's got,” Lowndes said.

“He's pretty strong in the Dunlop Series, so hopefully everything goes well for him in the next few weeks.

“We have a test in early September, with the car undergoing repairs after Darwin. Then for us, it’s all eyes on Sandown and Bathurst."

The NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint begins on Friday.