Kiwi driver and Penrite Racing rookie Matt Payne has won the final Race 28 of the Repco Supercars Championship calendar at the VAILO Adelaide 500. Payne took the lead from champion-elect Brodie Kostecki into the Senna Chicane, and wasn’t headed throughout the 78-lap, 250km affair. The Aucklander also became the tenth different driver to win a race in 2023.
“Everyone’s been working so hard here, to crack a win with Dave (Reynolds) at the Gold Coast was amazing, and now finally I get to get my first win in Adelaide,” said Payne. “So stoked, so proud of everyone.”
Brodie Kostecki wrapped up the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship with sixth place in the opening Race 27 on Saturday after rival Shane van Gisbergen crashed out. Cam Waters won the penultimate race of the series.
Van Gisbergen struggled in his final Supercars race being forced into the pit-lane with braking issues with his #97 Red Bull Ampol Camaro.
“Congratulations to Broc and the team on a great result,” commented van Gisbergen. “It would have been good to have joined him on the podium as I thought our car was going good, but unfortunately, we have some sort of issue that we couldn’t fix.
“He’s been the fastest guy all year and the team made no mistakes, so they deserved to have both championships.
“We tried our hardest, but we couldn’t get it done. I’ve had an amazing time with the team at Triple Eight so thanks to them for a great few years – I had a blast and I’m sure I’ll be back one day.”
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