Photo: Supercars

Matt Payne moves closer to Sprint Cup crown with second Perth success

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Matt Payne scored his second win of the weekend in the final race of the Perth Super 440 to strengthen his position at the head of the Supercars standings – and move a step closer to securing the Sprint Cup title.

Payne had started the weekend finale from third on the grid behind Broc Feeney and Cameron Waters, with Feeney having been the man to beat through the opening half of the race as he too looked to pick up a second weekend win.

Payne however benefitted from a brave strategy call from Grove Racing to snare the victory despite being forced to complete his final stint with a damaged wheel on his car.

The drama started before the start when Ryan Wood pulled off on the formation lap having been due to start from fourth, with Feeney able to hold off the challenge of Waters to retain the lead, with Payne holding third.

Payne managed to clear Waters but it was Feeney who held onto the lead through the first stops despite starting to encounter traffic, although he would stop five laps before Payne behind.

That meant the points leader had fresher tyres and was able to close the gap at the front before pitting first for the second time, with Feeney responding a lap later.

Feeney then rejoined with Payne on his tail and he dived down the inside to grab the lead – albeit with contact between the pair.

That left Payne nursing a vibration and with damage to the left rear wheel and tyre, but he managed to hold on at the front to secure a vital win as Feeney couldn’t find a way back ahead.

Waters would see his hold on a podium spot ended by a strong strategy call from Team 18 that allowed Anton De Pasquale to vault up into third spot, with Waters having to settle for fourth.

Kai Allen took fifth despite the fact he had started the race from the back row of the grid and took a trip across the grass after contact with Will Brown, with Chaz Mostert rounding out the top six as the leading Toyota.

Aaron Cameron, Jayden Ojeda, David Reynolds and Tom Randle completed the top ten.

Brown would end up down outside the top ten in a difficult race for the second Triple Eight car, which included picking up a penalty for contact with Rylan Gray.