Payne struck down by Penrite Racing pit stop disaster
Matt Payne dealt hammer blow by Penrite Racing pit stop disaster
Bathurst champion loses wheel after pit stop, having played into win battle
Payne undone by incidents out of his control for third time in five races
A bold strategy gamble by Penrite Racing has been undone in pit lane, with Matt Payne's Ford shedding a wheel after his stop in Race 11.
As Brodie Kostecki and Kai Allen squabbled for the effective lead, Payne ran long, and threatened to be a factor for his first victory of the season.
Kostecki and Allen came in for their stop on lap 16, and were serviced. Kostecki's Shell V-Power Ford was fitted with two tyres, and Friday winner Allen's Penrite Ford fitted with four.
Payne continued before being brought in for two tyres, and rejoined just behind Kostecki and Allen. However, consternation in the Penrite Racing garage was followed by images of Payne crawling around the track on three wheels.
After bursting through polystyrene signage, the loose wheel cut across the track and came to rest at the infield on the run to Turn 4. The race ran green, but Payne was forced in and dropped to 22nd, before finishing 19th.
Such was the speed in the #19 Mustang, that Payne set the fastest lap of the race after the incident. However, given he finished outside the top 15, Payne didn't score the bonus points.
It was a bitter blow for Payne, who for the third time in six races, was undone by incidents out of his control.
The Bathurst champion retired from Race 6 in Melbourne after a collision with Blanchard Racing Team driver James Golding, before he suffered a mystery puncture in Race 7.
The Melbourne issues dropped Payne from first to fourth in the championship, before he returned to third across the ITM Taupō Super 440.
Wood praised Payne's quick-thinking for getting out of the way, saying: “It was a bit dicey but he did the right thing. He pulled out of the way.
“Matty is a real smart operator and he got out of the way and did the right thing. It was pretty average to see for him."
On the incident itself, Wood felt for his friend, adding: “I feel sorry for Matty Payne and their team because they deserved to be here. Gut-wrenching for them."
Saturday's action concludes with Race 12 at 4:10pm NZST/2:10pm AEST. Fox Sports, Kayo Sports, and Sky NZ take live coverage. International fans can watch on SuperView.
