Penrite Racing wants double trouble in Supercars Finals

Make no mistake, Penrite Racing wants to fight for championships — and Team Principal David Cauchi is determined to have two cracks at it in the Finals.

While Broc Feeney has cleared out and is a raging favourite for the Repco Sprint Cup, Matt Payne has kept pace, and is just 14 points behind Will Brown in second.

Payne has outscored Feeney in the four big-point Super 440 Sunday races, but the Triple Eight driver has won five of the last six Saturday sprints to gap the field.

While Feeney, Brown and Payne are all but certain to reach the post-season, Penrite Racing is looming to have a wildcard up its sleeve — Kai Allen.

Allen’s breakout Darwin weekend put the teenager on the fringe of the top 10. Heading to Townsville, Allen is 12th, just 43 points from 10th.

Only Triple Eight and Tickford Racing have two drivers in the top 10, with Penrite Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United, Dick Johnson Racing, Brad Jones Racing, Matt Stone Racing and Team 18 all represented.

Of teams already represented in the top 10, WAU's Ryan Wood (11th), Allen (12th) and MSR's Nick Percat (13th) are next in line.

When asked by Supercars.com after the Darwin finale about his team’s Finals ambitious, Cauchi stopped short at putting pressure on Allen. However, he insisted the goal is to have two cars in the fight.

“We’re not quite there yet, but if Kai keeps on delivering results like that, and the team, then absolutely that’s our goal, is to have both guys in the championship fight,” Cauchi said.

“That’s what we all want. We’re very clear that we’re here to fight for championships, and to have two shots at it is better than one.

“We’re definitely going to focus on that.”

Regardless, Penrite Racing has flexed its strategy muscle in recent rounds, delivering a win for Payne in Tasmania and an unlikely podium in Perth.

In Darwin, Allen and Payne gained three positions each in the finale to complete the podium behind the dominant Feeney.

While Feeney was too far up the road, Cauchi was pleased his team could maximise its result on a day it proved it can get both cars in the fight.

“It’s always an advantage to have two cars up the front,” Cauchi said.

“We could run alternative strategies, and cover off Full Course Yellows and all that sort of stuff.

“The end was pretty straightforward, we had conversations before the race, we communicate very openly and clearly. The guys know where they stand.

“We’re team-first, and we’re only interested in getting the best result for the team overall."

The 2025 Repco Supercars Championship continues at the NTI Townsville 500 from July 11-13. Tickets for the event are on sale now.