How shock Payne/Waters clash turned 2025 Finals on its head

The Matt Payne/Cam Waters clash in the final stages of the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 will live long in the memory for many, even as both drivers try to move on.

In the most controversial moment of The Finals so far, a clash between Payne and Waters with 31 laps to go on Sunday dumped both drivers out of championship contention.

All told, from a position of strength, Payne gifted rookie teammate Kai Allen the final spot in the bp Adelaide Grand Final.

Looking at the numbers, it makes the incident look even worse for Payne, who began lap 51 of 81 comfortably in position to reach the bp Adelaide Grand Final.

Crucially, Waters' Saturday slide to 12th dropped the Tickford Racing driver from +12 to -57, and needing a miracle on Sunday to make it.

Waters was on a warpath, clashing with PremiAir Racing's James Golding on lap 26, before being penalised over an incident with reigning champion Will Brown on lap 39.

By that stage, Waters had nothing to lose. His hopes were on life support at -47 behind Payne on the cut-line. However, despite seemingly being home free, Payne opted to race (and try to pass) his Ford rival.

Payne needed to finish 11th to make it. The contact forced Waters straight into the lane with a puncture, while Payne fell to eighth behind Brodie Kostecki, Chaz Mostert, Allen and James Courtney.

With his steering crippled, Payne fell to 12th behind Bryce Fullwood, Andre Heimgartner, David Reynolds and Cooper Murray. He fell off the lead lap and was 21st by the time he was dragged into the lane. Game over.

In his upcoming exclusive analysis piece for Supercars.com, former title-winning engineer and data analyst Scott Sinclair insisted that, "while playing it safe goes against a driver's natural instinct," managing the battle "required a big picture play."

Speaking post-race, Payne quipped that he felt "bombarded" by Waters into Turn 4, where contact was made, and both cars sustained damage. Waters, though, said: "Not really sure why he raced me so hard when he didn't have to."

It was a line repeated by Tickford Team Manager Matt Roberts, who said: “If they reflect back on that, they probably didn't have to do anything."

Conversely, Penrite Racing Team Principal David Cauchi admitted that, while he thought the move was on, Payne should have played it safe: "In hindsight, you'd say that we should have just sat there and sat behind him, but it's history now."

The 2025 Repco Supercars champion will be crowned at the bp Adelaide Grand Final from November 27-30. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

How Finals standings played out at Sandown