Courtney backs 'professional' Payne to fire
Matt Payne among the headlines between Tasmania and Darwin
Kiwi released statement, committed to seeing out Penrite Racing contract
Payne also had NASCAR debut blocked by team, revealed broken wrist
James Courtney is adamant Matt Payne won’t be undone by recent headlines and speculation, as the Bathurst winner shoots for his maiden championship.
Payne released a statement on the eve of the betr Darwin Triple Crown, decisively confirming he will see out his contract with Penrite Racing. It put a halt to the tug-of-war over his services, while keeping the door ajar of a move in 2028.
Through it all, Payne has pieced together an impressive campaign to date, winning twice in Christchurch to sit second overall behind Ford rival Broc Feeney.
Pre-round, Supercars expert Scott Sinclair wrote: "Payne's battle with Feeney will be the main story, but watching for any signs the last few weeks have got to him will be just as telling."
When asked on Supercars’ Pit Lane Preview presented by Equip Super if Payne can set aside the noise, 2010 champion Courtney said: “Can he focus? Definitely.
“Once the racing starts — outside stuff, like when we’re talking to him, sure, it’s a distraction.
“But once you put the helmet on, and you’re doing close to 300 kilometres an hour, with 25 odd other idiots around you trying to run into you, it directs your focus.
“When he’s in the car, I'm sure it won’t bother him. What will annoy him is us going and asking him about it all weekend.”
Courtney himself faced a number turbulent periods of speculation in his career, notably winning the 2010 championship amid questions over his future.
“He’s a professional. He’s at the top of his game,” Courtney added.
“He’s doing really good things in the car. He’s going to want to be focusing on this year’s championship, he’s got a great chance to secure some great points this weekend.
“I’m sure he’d want a championship before he went on to do something else.”
Payne enters the Darwin weekend 90 points behind Feeney.
