Here's hoping we see him next year.
Here's a story...
CASEY Stoner's racing career looks certain to continue, with the retiring MotoGP star in negotiations to drive a V8 Supercar
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Stoner and Triple Eight Racing are negotiating a deal that will see the MotoGP champion line up in the Dunlop Series next year.
Stoner is in talks to drive in the V8 Supercars development series in a Red Bull-backed car run by Triple Eight Racing.
As he tackles Phillip Island today in his final home MotoGP race, Stoner could be just 109 days away from making his four-wheel debut with the Dunlop series to kick off in Adelaide on February 28.
Stoner and Triple Eight Racing deny a deal has been done, but V8 officials have confirmed negotiations are taking place.
A Dunlop series drive with Triple Eight Racing would give Stoner valuable track time and experience in a V8 Supercar before making a switch to the series proper, possibly in 2014.
Stoner shares a link with Red Bull, who will take over from Team Vodafone as Triple Eight's major sponsor next year. His Repsol Honda team is backed by the energy drink.
However, it is not known whether Red Bull will back Stoner's development series entry, with the Australian arm of the company weighing up Stoner's domestic appeal.
Triple Eight Racing principal Roland Dane refused to comment last night.
Stoner and Triple Eight Racing are unlikely to confirm the deal until the Kurri Kurri-raised rider officially retires from MotoGP after the November 11 race in Spain.
However, Dane and Triple Eight Racing driver Craig Lowndes have spent time with Stoner at Phillip Island this weekend ahead of today's Australian MotoGP.
The trio share a strong friendship, with Stoner a guest of Triple Eight at V8 Supercars events this year, including the Bathurst 1000.
Stoner has tested in a Triple Eight V8 Supercar and has previously expressed his desire to join the series, but he has publicly stated he will take at least a year off to rest and re-focus.
"Since I was 12, I've always been interested, and it was always my plan during my whole career to drive a V8 and see what it was like," Stoner said.
"I got my first opportunity last year, and it is definitely something that I'm interested in for the future.
"It could become a new goal, a new chapter in my career, but I have to be realistic and see if we're capable of doing anything."
Earlier this week, a cagey Dane denied Stoner would be joining Triple Eight Racing in a V8 Supercar, but he was not asked about the possibility of a development series drive.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/news/mootogp-sta ... z2AYREYCEP
