Penrite Racing’s Matt Payne has extended his lead at the top of the Repco Sprint Cup standings after a masterclass performance to win Race 21 of the Townsville 500.
Payne dominated the second half of the race after trailing Shell V-Power Racing Team’s Brodie Kostecki during the opening stint before a slow pit stop dropped the 2023 champion out of the lead.
Anton De Pasquale came from outside the top 10 to split the two leading Fords at the end in the DEWALT Racing Chevrolet Camaro.
Unlike on Friday evening, Kostecki made the perfect jump compared to Payne as the New Zealander was under pressure immediately from Monster Castrol Racing’s Thomas Randle and the Mobil 1 Truck Assist Racing Toyota GR Supra of Ryan Wood.
The usual concertina at Turn 2 caught out the Blanchard Racing Team duo of James Golding and Aaron Cameron, with damage to both Ford Mustangs.
Golding trailed a smokescreen from his Mustang due to a rubbing tyre, while Monster Castrol Racing’s Cam Waters put Wood under fire for fourth.
Kostecki led from Payne after withstanding the pressure from Randle, with the lead trio building a margin back to Waters after he disposed of Wood.
After having start back in the pack again, Red Bull Ampol Racing’s Broc Feeney and Will Brown managed to charge inside the top 10 by the time of the opening stops.
Payne was first to pit on lap 19 leaving Kostecki to respond the next time around, but this when the Shell V-Power Racing Team’s driver’s race was lost.
The left rear tyre failed to come off resulting in a loss of 13s when he re-entered the circuit.
Randle took full advantage to be second ahead of Wood, though Kostecki quickly demoted the New Zealander to fourth.
Then Waters exited the pits after running long to jump Kostecki, Wood, Feeney and Chaz Mostert to sit third.
But Payne was 10s clear of Randle and Waters was asked to fuel save after his first stop.
Running even longer than Waters was De Pasquale as he pitted on lap 30 and elevated up to third eight laps later on account of his fresher rubber.
Wood was leading a fiery battle pack featuring Brown, Allen and Feeney, but it ended in tears. Allen attempted a pass on Wood at Turn 11, but there was contact leading to damaged steering for the Toyota and a puncture for the Penrite Racing Ford.
Kostecki took third and was brought into pit lane in response to an expected safety car, but this never came leading to along stint to finish.
De Pasquale continued his charge by picking up second before the second round of stops.
Randle pitted on lap 45, but Kostecki jumped back into third during the cycle and second when De Pasquale completed his last service.
In the end, De Pasquale passed both Randle and Kostecki, but Payne was well ahead.
The closing stages were frantic as De Pasquale was forced to fuel save allowing Kostecki, Randle, Waters and Brown to close.
However, it was Payne greeting the chequered flag in dominating fashion from De Pasquale, Kostecki and Waters after swapping positions with Randle.
Brown scored sixth ahead of Moster, Feeney, Matt Stone Racing’s Jack Le Brocq and David Reynolds rounded out the top 10.
Qualifying for Race 22 in Townsville on Sunday is set to commence at 11:25am AEST.