Payne pummels the field on Saturday in Townsville

Auckland’s Matt Payne has taken a storming victory on Saturday at the NTI Townsville 500.

After taking the championship lead yesterday, Payne romped to victory today by over 10 seconds for his third win of the 2026 season.

“It’s really good,” commented Payne. “Didn’t get a great start but the guys did an excellent job in the pitlane and we saved a bit of fuel which helped us in track position so can’t complain.”

The reigning Repco Bathurst 1000 winner now holds a 61-point lead over Broc Feeney in the standings.

***Second placed Anton De Pasquale alongside winner Matt Payne and third placed Brodie Kosteck***

Anton De Pasquale charged through the field in the middle stint of the race to finish second today, after starting 11th.

Pole sitter Brodie Kostecki rounded out the podium in third, with Tickford teammates Cam Waters and Thomas Randle rounding out the top five.

After qualifying outside the top 10 for the second straight day, Will Brown recovered from 12th to finish sixth, while stablemate Broc Feeney climbed from 17th to eighth in today’s 200-kilometre race.

On-track action resumes on Sunday at the NTI Townsville 500 with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 11:25 a.m. AEST, with a final 200-kilometre race at 3:05 p.m.