Payne wins Sunday Supercars race, Grand Final contenders locked in

New Zealand’s Matt Payne is through the bp Adelaide Grand Final after topping off an exceptional weekend at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 with victory in Race 34.

It was Payne’s first win since August at the Bosch Power Tools Perth Super 440 and follows two pole positions in the Boost Mobile Top 10 Shootout on Saturday and Sunday and second place in Race 33.

“That was so stressful, I couldn’t tell you how high the heart rate was, for the last five laps,” said Payne. “Credit to Anton (De Pasquale) and his team, they put together a pretty good car today and he was certainly challenging me. We didn’t have much at the end but I managed to hold on my the skin of my teeth!”

Team 18 driver Anton De Pasquale finished the race where he started it – second – but needed victory to progress to the Grand Final. It means he is out of contention for the 2026 Repco Supercars Championship.

Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Broc Feeney and Mobil1 Optus Racing’s Chaz Mostert were fourth and fifth, earning sufficient points to progress to the Grand Final.

Shell V-Power Racing Team driver Brodie Kostecki was 10th in a race where he had to serve a drive-through penalty but earned his place to challenge for the championship after winning Race 33.

Will Brown and Cam Waters, who entered the weekend among seven Finalists, were eliminated from championship contention.

Melbourne native Cooper Murray finished third in today’s race, his first career podium in just his second event with PremiAir Racing.

The 2026 Supercars title will now be decided at the bp Adelaide Grand Final, where one of Matt Payne, Brodie Kostecki, Broc Feeney, or Chaz Mostert will be crowned champion.