70,677 fans attend the 2026 Penrite Oil Sandown 500 across three spectacular days
Attendance rises 3.17 per cent on 2025 as Supercars season passes 1.42 million spectators
Matt Payne, Brodie Kostecki, Broc Feeney, Chaz Mostert qualified for Grand Final
A stellar crowd of 70,677 fans packed Melbourne's iconic Sandown Raceway across three action-packed days for the 2026 Penrite Oil Sandown 500, delivering a 3.17% increase on last year's event.
Despite damp conditions on Saturday morning, fans filled the grandstands and trackside hills to witness a dramatic weekend of Supercars racing as the battle for championship glory intensified.
The passionate Victorian crowd was treated to two spellbinding races, with Brodie Kostecki claiming victory in Saturday's opening encounter before Matt Payne dominated Sunday’s 250-kilometre race.
Both drivers secured their places in the bp Adelaide Grand Final, keeping their championship hopes alive heading into the season finale, while Gold Coasters Broc Feeney and Chaz Mostert also locked in their spots for the championship fight at the Grand Final.
The strong Sandown turnout continues a successful year for the Repco Supercars Championship, which has raced in front of a cumulative attendance of more than 1.42 million people to date in 2026.
Supercars Executive Chairman and interim CEO Barclay Nettlefold praised the Victorian fans and all those involved in delivering a memorable Sandown event.
"The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 is one of the most historic and important events on the Supercars calendar, and it was fantastic to see more than 70,000 passionate fans pack the grandstands and hillsides across the weekend," Nettlefold said.
"The atmosphere across all three days was outstanding, culminating in a brilliant Sunday crowd enjoying perfect conditions and some dramatic racing as the Supercars Finals Series continued to deliver.
"On behalf of Supercars, I'd like to thank our fans, officials, volunteers, our naming rights partner Penrite, and all of our teams and drivers for putting on a fantastic show both on and off the track."
"The passion and support shown by Victorian motorsport fans continues to make Sandown one of the great events in Australian motorsport, and we're incredibly grateful for their support."
Penrite Oil CEO Toby Dymond celebrated the enthusiastic crowd alongside Matt Payne's Sunday race win in the No. 19 Penrite Ford Mustang.
“What an incredible moment for Penrite to celebrate our 100th year with Matt Payne taking victory at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, in front of a brilliant crowd at Sandown Raceway," Dymond said.
“To win at our namesake event, in such a milestone year for our family-owned Australian business, makes this achievement even more special. We couldn’t be prouder of Matt, Kai and the entire Penrite Racing team, and we were thrilled to see so many Penrite Racing shirts, caps, and flags filling the grandstand.
“It’s a fitting celebration of 100 years of passion, performance and determination – and proof that after a century, we’re Still Driven.”
The Repco Supercars Championship now heads to the bp Adelaide Grand Final on November 26-29, where the 2026 champion will be crowned.
