Warren Luff has been put on standby by Walkinshaw Andretti United after Scott Pye was struck down with illness overnight.

The team has entered Luff in the #2 ZB Commodore, along with regular driver Pye, in case its Pirtek Enduro Cup co-driver is called upon.

Pye received treatment from the team’s trainer and doctor Carl Le this morning.

“Obviously it’s very unfortunate for Scott that he’s not feeling well, but Phil our trainer has been looking after him and Dr Carl’s been with him, so they’ve been sort of hydrating him,” Luff told Speedcafe.com.

“He’s feeling a lot better now but I’m just on standby in case he’s not feeling up for Practice 1, but he’ll be fine for Practice 2.”

Luff is in Newcastle to campaign in the Toyota 86 Racing Series as an invited driver, and took to the circuit for his first laps on Friday morning.

“I’m here this weekend doing the Toyota 86s, so at least I’ve now driven the circuit,” Luff added.

“It’d be good fun to be able to have a skid around here in the V8 but again it’s not the sort of circumstances you want because for Scott, obviously with it being the last weekend with the team, he wants to go out with a high.

“It’s not the best way to start the weekend, but he’s a fighter, he’ll be fine.”

Opening practice for the Coates Hire Newcastle 500 begins at 1130 AEDT.