Payne explains 'pretty bad' final lap error
Supercars
21 Mar
Matt Payne scored second career podium in AGP opener
Payne bowled a wide at penultimate corner on final lap
Penrite Racing driver hung onto third despite losing a spot on-track
Matt Payne’s run to a second career Supercars podium featured a “pretty bad” last-lap mistake, which nearly cost the Penrite Racing driver his trophy.
The 21-year-old crossed the line fourth behind Nick Percat in Melbourne on Thursday, but was classified third behind Red Bull Ampol Racing teammates Broc Feeney and Will Brown.
Payne was third on the road rounding the final two corners, but ran off onto the grass and dropped behind Percat at the penultimate corner.
He managed to hang on, albeit by just 0.4s over Ford rival Chaz Mostert, to score Penrite Racing's first podium of the season.
"I knew it was going to be tough racing these boys, they fight for sheep stations,” Payne explained after the race.
"I probably made some wrong moves and then I made some right moves, but came out in the end and made a pretty bad mistake at the last corner.
"I probably braked a little late and I grabbed the front and then I grabbed both pedals. I knew Percat had a five-second penalty, so I wasn't stressed if he passed me or not.
"But, when it was happening I was like, ‘What is going on? I'm in the grass.’
“Luckily we kept it.”
With the result, Payne moved to fourth in the championship, and will launch from fifth for Friday’s Race 4.
"It's nice to be able to run with the front guys — Triple Eight, they've obviously got really good cars,” Payne added.
“So, we just need to tune it up a little bit overnight. I think we can still find a little bit more time, but it's tough, man. It's good competition. I really like the racing here.
“It’s really cool, just really happy."
