Payne expects response after 'unlike-T8 weekend'
Matt Payne expects response after "unlike-T8 weekend"
Triple Eight failed to podium in Darwin, where it had dominant record
Payne slashed Broc Feeney's lead, Penrite Racing seized teams' lead
Matt Payne is expecting Red Bull Ampol Racing to return serve after the reigning teams' champions delivered an "unlike-T8 weekend" in Darwin.
Penrite Racing seized the teams' championship lead from Triple Eight at the betr Darwin Triple Crown, with the Grove squad leaving an event with the lead for the first time.
Broc Feeney entered Darwin a hot favourite, courtesy of five straight wins at the Hidden Valley venue, and carrying confidence from a last-start Tasmania win. In a big shock, he failed to register a single podium.
Instead, Triple Eight were left to clean up a team orders bungle in the final race, and watched on as Penrite Racing claimed control of the coveted first two garages in pit lane.
Payne slashed Feeney's drivers' lead from 90 to 15 points, but stopped short at suggesting Triple Eight may fall into a slump.
"I haven't really thought too much of it, to be honest," Payne replied, when asked about the points lead.
"I’ve sort of chimed in and out of having a look at the championship points. I knew that we beat Broc in every race this weekend, which was gonna help us. Now it's really close, but you know, there's still three more rounds to go.
"I'm sure they'll get back on top of things, and it was a pretty unlike-T8 weekend for them to not be on the podium.
"We took advantage of it while we could, but we don't know what's gonna happen for the next three rounds."
Feeney won the final two races of last year's NTI Townsville 500, while Payne is also a former winner at the Reid Park venue.
Team boss Stephen Grove echoed his driver's comments, suggesting his squad's form will only motivate Triple Eight to work even harder.
“We’ve still got to keep working hard and pushing on," Grove said.
"For me, I want to be super clear that we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. Leading the teams’ championship is great, but it makes both ourselves and Triple Eight work harder and that’s a positive for both Mustang teams."
Track action in Townsville commences on Friday July 10.
