Bullish Payne doubles down on championship tilt after 'miracle'

Matt Payne insists he has always had his eyes set on the championship in 2025, with the Penrite Racing driver confident after finding yet another different way to win.

The Penrite Racing driver heads to the next round in Perth just 75 points from the points lead, having won his third race in six starts in Tasmania. In contrast, after four rounds in 2024, Payne was a whopping 391 points down, and was never a consistent threat for the championship.

Payne was the talk of the town after making his tyres last for over 40 laps in the Symmons Plains finale, before holding out a rampaging Broc Feeney to clinch victory in a photo finish.

The win earned Payne plenty of praise, with Supercars Hall of Famer Mark Skaife labelling the 22-year-old a "tyre whisperer," with 2007 Supercars championship Garth Tander calling the win a "miracle."

In a sign of Payne's smarts, per Supercars data analyst Scott Sinclair, Payne recorded 13 consecutive laps within a mere 0.17 seconds of each other in the final stint. Crucially, the victory also denied Triple Eight and Feeney a weekend sweep, leaving Jamie Whincup "filthy."

The Kiwi's five career Supercars wins have been a mix of strategy masterclasses and sprint dominance, with Payne's latest triumph signalling to his rivals that he won't go down without a fight.

Payne kept cool on his title hopes after winning in Taupō, admitting he needed to get through potential bogey rounds and focusing on consistency.

Having ticked another box in Tasmania, a track where he struggled to break into the top 20 last year, he said: "We've always had our eyes set on the championship," he said.

"Last year, we showed some really promising speed, and I think it's no different this year. We've had really good speed for quite a few of the rounds this year.

"I know this weekend probably wasn't our best in terms of speed, but certainly took the opportunity when the strategy was there.

"I think there are definitely other ways to win than not be the fastest car. It just shows that we're giving it everything to get the win, and especially the championship points.

"That's just what you've got to do now. You've got to take those opportunities when they come, and put everything into making them work."

When asked if there were forthcoming events where he could be strong, Payne replied: "You're looking to do good at every round.

"You always put in as much preparation for every race as you can. It's going to be no different for the next nine rounds.

"It's going to be maximum work ahead, and trying to stay in the championship fight and give it to these guys."

The 2025 season will resume in Perth on June 6-8. Tickets on sale now.