Craig Lowndes says he expects his old rival Marcos Ambrose to be back in the V8 Supercars championship soon.

After ditching the category to try his hand at NASCAR racing in the USA, Ambrose was due to make a homecoming appearance nine years in waiting this weekend at Symmons Plains.

That was until last week, when he stunned the racing community by giving up his V8 seat, saying he needed time to adjust to the pace of the category.

Lowndes says he was shocked when he heard the news.

“It was a bit of a surprise, it was exciting to hear his return,” he said.

“To step away from the car at this early stage of the championship, there’s not really been a precedent for it.

“He’s got his own reasons for it so you’ve got to respect him for it.”

Ambrose opened up on those reasons on Friday, saying he couldn’t deliver what was expected by his DJR Team Penske bosses.

It’s been a disappointment to those hoping Ambrose would inject life into the Supercars championship, currently dominated by six-time champion Jamie Whincup.

Before Whincup’s reign, Ambrose was the last man to claim back-to-back championships.

Lowndes is one of a handful of drivers still left in the sport who shared the grid during the Tasmanian’s heyday.

And the Red Bull Racing driver predicts it won’t be long before Ambrose is back in his Ford Falcon FG X.

“He’s a racer, he’ll want to get back into the car,” he said.

“Maybe he was a little surprised with the way the category has evolved over the time he’s been away.

“There’s definitely more depth amongst the teams, cars and drivers.

“I think he’ll be back in the car in the near future once he gets settled into the rhythm.”