'Best driver in the category': Supercars legend's big Payne call

Supercars champion Mark Winterbottom has labelled Penrite Racing rising star Matt Payne "the best driver in the category at the moment."

The New Zealander has pieced together a fine campaign to sit second in the drivers' standings, splitting Broc Feeney and reigning champion Will Brown from the all-conquering Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Payne, who turns 23 in October, has been one of the standout stars of 2025 with three wins. The Aucklander's performance has helped Penrite Racing to second in the teams' standings, and first of the Ford teams.

The Kiwi is shaping up the the big disruptor in The Finals, and could also prove a favourite for the Ryco Enduro Cup alongside five-time Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander.

One of Tander's old rivals, Winterbottom told New Zealand radio show Newstalk ZB he had no doubt Payne would win "in the best car on the day."

"You guys are so lucky over there. You just breed exceptional drivers and it frustrates the hell out of us over here,” said the 2015 Supercars champion, who has released a new autobiography.

"Matt Payne's someone that I have a fair bit to do with. We go up the river and spend a bit of time fishing together and have some downtime. He's an incredible talent.

"And what sets those young guys apart now to back in the day is that when they're 18 or 19, they're ready because they've raced all around the world.

"They come in and they're not raw. Back in our era, they were raw. But put Matt Payne in the best car on the day, he'll win. No doubt about it. He's an incredible talent."

Winterbottom also hailed Walkinshaw Andretti United driver Ryan Wood, who currently sits ninth, and has a win and a pole to his name in just his second season.

Despite Feeney's hot form in the #88 Red Bull Ampol Chevrolet, Winterbottom believes Payne is the "best" on the current grid, with Penrite Racing only in its fourth season under full Grove ownership.

Such has been Payne's performance in 2025, that he has mathematically clinched a Finals berth before the enduros.

"Ryan Wood's starting to show his true form as well. And he's in that raw stage of his career, but he's fast and doing some incredible things," Winterbottom, the 2013 Bathurst winner, added.

"So, car's important, but at the same time, you need a good driver. Because like I said, good drivers attract personnel, they attract sponsorship and you grow together.

"Matt Payne is someone I regard very, very highly and is one of, if not the best driver in the category at the moment."

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship resumes at the AirTouch 500 at The Bend on September 12-12, followed by the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 9-12. Tickets are on sale now.

Matt Payne: Season-by-season numbers

After eight rounds