Lowndes backs Payne to take over at the top

Supercars legend Craig Lowndes believes there should be no surprises should Matt Payne emerge atop the championship standings in Perth.

The Penrite Racing driver has won three of the last six races, including the last two 200km races in New Zealand and Symmons Plains.

Payne was 149 points from the championship lead after Round 2 in Melbourne, but is now 75 points down after topping the round in Taupō and ending up second overall in Tasmania.

The New Zealander’s impressive tyre smarts, coupled with Penrite Racing’s strategy calls, have seen Payne come within striking distance of the points lead, which is currently held by Broc Feeney.

Payne is now lead Ford driver in the championship, taking over from Tickford Racing rival Cam Waters in Tasmania. Reigning champion Will Brown, meanwhile, is just 42 points in front.

Waters and Brown traded the lead through the first 11 races, before Feeney took over in Tasmania.

While he dominated with two wins on home soil, it was Payne’s victory in Tasmania that caught Lowndes’ attention, with the #19 Penrite Ford making his tyres last for nearly 50 laps to deny a rampant Feeney.

Fans have Feeney winning the Repco Sprint Cup, per a Supercars.com poll, while Supercars Hall of Fame Mark Skaife also backs the Triple Eight driver.

However, given how tough Perth’s CARCO.com.au Raceway is on tyres, Lowndes — who won a record 16 races in Perth — suggests Payne could take over at the top.

"At the front of the field, I wouldn’t be surprised if Matt Payne left Perth as the championship leader,” Lowndes writes in his upcoming column for Supercars.com.

"Looking at what Matt has done over the last couple of rounds, he has been very impressive, and one trait stands out.

"His tyre life in New Zealand and Tasmania was superb, and that is going to be of huge importance come Perth, which chews up the tyres.

"Perth is all about finessing the car and driving it straight and precise. Matt Payne has shown that in the last couple of meetings, controlling races in New Zealand, and holding out Broc Feeney in Tasmania.”

In his exclusive column, Lowndes also covers the fight for Finals positions, the secrets behind performing in Perth, Waters’ hopes, and more.

The Bosch Power Tools Perth Super 440 begins with two practice sessions on Friday at 12:05pm AWST/2:05pm AEST and 1:55pm AEST/3:55pm AEST. Tickets on sale now.