Randle, Payne recount dramatic late-race podium duel

Thomas Randle and Matt Payne have recounted their epic stoush in the dying laps of the opening race of the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship at the Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round.

Grove Racing had put the Kiwi on an aggressive two-tyre strategy at their sole pit stop on lap 6, whilst Tickford put Randle on a more conventional four-tyre strategy alongside eventual runner-up Chaz Mostert on lap 12 of 26.

After Broc Feeney's puncture robbed the Red Bull Ampol Racing star of a likely podium, Payne emerged from the pit stop cycle in second behind runaway leader and eventual winner Cam Waters.

However, Grove Racing's aggressive strategy play ultimately came back to haunt them, as first Mostert, then Randle ranged up onto the back of the #19 Mustang, which was struggling for tyre life at the end of the race.

The 22-year-old was dogged in defence, however Mostert got by with three laps to go, inviting Randle onto the rear bumper of the Penrite Mustang for the final laps.

Randle made several attempts at Payne in a thrilling display of defence vs attack, however on the final lap of the race, a mistake by Payne gave Randle all the invitation he needed to complete a remarkable 12-month turnaround for Tickford.

After a disappointing start to the 2024 season at the Bathurst 500 saw the team walk away with one top 10 finish from four starts, completing a double podium was a sweet reward for 28-year-old Randle.

"The stop was great, all the boys and girls did a mega job, and we knew Payne obviously took two tyres a bit earlier, and that was down to the wire, I hope that was as entertaining for me as it was for everyone watching," said Randle.

"Payne was putting up a really good defence, and we were side-by-side into Turn 9, and I was on the right side, so I tried to do a switchback and then he covered quite late, and I didn't want to get a penalty.

"So I just tried to bide my time, and did the switchback on him out of Turn 7. It's such a great repayment to the whole team, we've worked really hard over the off season.

"From where we were 12 months ago, to get a double podium for the team is pretty special."

Although disappointed by missing out on starting the season with silverware, Payne was still highly complimentary of his battles with both Mostert and Waters.

"It was an awesome race, absolutely awesome race, I really enjoyed it," said Payne.

"Battling those two guys at the end was pretty fun, I didn't have much to go off, so I tried every trick in the book, squaring up the corners just to hurt their run, whatever I could do.

"But I just made a little mistake down at Turn 6 on the last lap, and I just ran a little deep, Thomas was able to get the crossover, so it was fair racing, it was all really fun, I really enjoyed it.

"We probably hurt ourselves pitting earlier than the other guys trying to cover off Brodie, and then obviously trying to undercut Broc as well, so that probably hurt us a little bit only doing the four tyres because four was so strong.

"Gutted I missed out on the podium. Third on the last lap, and then to lose it. But we'll keep pushing."

On track action at the Thrifty Sydney 500 - Opening Round continues tomorrow with Boost Mobile Qualifying at 2:35pm local time, before Race 2 begins at 7:30pm local time.