Racing

Nick Percat Announces Retirement from Supercars at End of 2025 Season

Veteran Supercars competitor Nick Percat, a prominent figure in the Australian touring car landscape for a decade and a half, has made the significant announcement that he will conclude his full-time racing career at the close of the 2025 season. This decision marks the end of an era for the 37-year-old, who has amassed a remarkable record of success throughout his tenure in the sport.

A Champion's Farewell: Nick Percat's Final Season in Supercars

Percat's Decision to Conclude Full-Time Racing Career

Nick Percat, a seasoned driver in the Supercars championship, recently confirmed his plans to step away from full-time competition following the 2025 racing calendar. His final appearance as a primary driver is slated for the Adelaide 500, scheduled from November 27-30, where he will pilot his Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet Camaro. This declaration signals a pivotal moment for the driver and the racing community.

A Look Back at a Distinguished Racing Journey

Percat's journey in Supercars began in 2010, and since then, he has secured six race wins across various teams, including the Holden Racing Team, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, Brad Jones Racing, and Matt Stone Racing. A highlight of his career came in 2011 when he, alongside Garth Tander, clinched victory at the prestigious Bathurst 1000, achieving the rare feat of winning on his debut at the event. Another memorable triumph was his 2016 Adelaide 500 victory, a testament to his skill and adaptability, particularly as he navigated challenging conditions for a smaller team.

Reflecting on Career Achievements and Future Prospects

Commenting on his decision, Percat expressed that it was not made lightly, given his ongoing competitive spirit and recent podium finishes. However, he sees this transition as an opening for new opportunities. He intends to channel his energies into his JND Kart business. Furthermore, his considerable experience and expertise suggest a strong likelihood of him continuing in the Supercars circuit as a highly sought-after endurance co-driver, ensuring his presence remains within the sport.

Emotional Moments and Lasting Legacies

Percat shared that his Bathurst 1000 win with HRT in 2011 continues to evoke strong emotions, describing how it still gives him "goosebumps." The unexpected victory at the Adelaide 500, especially under the severe weather conditions and with a less-resourced team, stands out as another deeply cherished memory. These moments underscore his enduring impact on the sport and his connection with significant events in Supercars history.

The Upcoming Bathurst 1000 and Beyond

Before his full-time retirement, Percat is set to participate in his 15th Bathurst 1000 race. For this event, he will be paired with Tim Slade as his co-driver for Matt Stone Racing. His focus for the remaining events will be to compete fiercely, aiming to add more achievements to his illustrious career before transitioning into his new professional endeavors.

Nick Percat Announces Retirement from Supercars after 2025 Season

In a significant announcement that has resonated throughout the Supercars community, veteran racer Nick Percat has revealed his plans to step away from full-time competition at the end of the 2025 racing calendar. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the career of the 37-year-old, who has been a prominent figure in the sport for 15 years.

Supercars Veteran Nick Percat to Conclude Full-Time Career in 2025, Eyeing Future in Endurance Racing

Adelaide, Australia – October 7, 2025 – Nick Percat, a respected and accomplished driver in the Supercars series, officially announced his retirement from full-time racing, effective after the final event of the 2025 season, the Adelaide 500. The seasoned competitor, currently piloting a Matt Stone Racing Chevrolet Camaro, shared his decision, acknowledging its difficulty while emphasizing the opening of new opportunities. Percat’s illustrious career includes an impressive tally of six championship race wins. A particular highlight remains his debut victory at the 2011 Bathurst 1000, where he partnered with Garth Tander for the Holden Racing Team, becoming only the second driver in history to achieve this feat. He also cherishes his 2016 Adelaide 500 triumph, a victory secured in challenging torrential conditions with the smaller Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport team in his home state. This upcoming Bathurst 1000 will be his fifteenth and final appearance as a primary driver. Looking ahead, Percat plans to dedicate more time to his JND Kart business and is expected to be a highly sought-after endurance co-driver in the Supercars series, ensuring his continued presence in the sport in a different capacity.

Percat's decision to transition from full-time racing to focusing on his karting business and potentially an endurance co-driver role offers an insightful perspective on career evolution within motorsports. It highlights the strategic choices athletes make beyond their primary competitive years, balancing personal passions with continued involvement in the sport they love. His reflections on career highlights, particularly the 2011 Bathurst 1000 and the 2016 Adelaide 500, underscore the emotional depth and lasting impact of significant achievements, reminding us that success is often defined not just by wins, but by memorable performances and overcoming adversity.

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NASCAR Seeks Court Oversight for Settlement Talks in Antitrust Dispute

NASCAR is pushing for judicial intervention in the ongoing antitrust dispute with prominent racing teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. This move comes after earlier attempts at private mediation failed to yield a resolution. The core of the conflict revolves around the financial terms and competitive structure of the sport's charter system, a framework that governs team participation and compensation within the Cup Series. Both parties acknowledge the desirability of an amicable settlement, particularly given the looming December 1 jury trial, which carries the potential for significant disruption and uncertainty for the entire racing community.

The current legal situation stems from a lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, alleging antitrust violations by NASCAR. In response, NASCAR initiated a countersuit. Recognizing the complexity and potential impact of the case, the court mandated a private settlement conference earlier this summer. This meeting, held in New York on August 5, 2025, involved legal representatives from all sides and a mediator who previously served as Chief Legal Officer for the National Basketball Association. However, despite the mediator's efforts, the discussions did not result in a breakthrough.

Following the impasse in private mediation, NASCAR formally petitioned the Western District of North Carolina, specifically Judge Kenneth D. Bell, to order a judicially supervised settlement conference. The organization believes that such a conference, led by an experienced judicial officer, would offer invaluable insights into the legal issues at hand and the inherent risks of a jury trial. This structured environment, NASCAR argues, would facilitate a more productive dialogue between the teams and the league, ultimately guiding them towards a mutually acceptable outcome.

While 23XI and Front Row Motorsports have indicated a preference to continue mediation with the same private mediator, NASCAR remains steadfast in its belief that a judicial presence is necessary. The league has consistently expressed its desire for a settlement before the trial, citing concerns about the potential negative impact on the charter system's stability and value. In a recent motion for summary judgment, NASCAR included statements from ten team owners who also advocated for a settlement, underscoring the broader sentiment within the sport to avoid a prolonged and potentially damaging legal battle.

A critical point of contention revolves around the terms of the charter agreement. NASCAR has previously expressed an unwillingness to renegotiate these terms as part of a settlement, which were originally signed by 13 of the 15 teams competing in the Cup Series. Furthermore, NASCAR has pressed the plaintiff teams, both publicly and privately, to articulate their desired outcomes should they prevail in court, a crucial piece of information that has yet to be clearly defined. The two teams, on their part, aim to demonstrate that they suffered harm, even during the initial charter negotiations, due to NASCAR's considerable market power over its constituent teams.

Despite the differences, both sides agree on the general principle of reaching a settlement. Quotes from Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, and Christopher Yates, NASCAR's attorney, confirm their openness to resolving the matter outside of court. NASCAR's legal filing emphasizes that a judicial settlement conference would provide a distinguished member of the bench the authority and expertise to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each party's claims, communicate the risks associated with a jury trial in that particular district, and ultimately steer the parties toward an amicable resolution that safeguards the future of the sport's competitive and business models.

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