Payne survives Perth chaos to strengthen championship lead

Matt Payne strengthened his Supercars championship lead with a victory in a chaotic Perth opener, while Ford secured the 2026 manufacturers’ title.

Payne recovered from a slow start to claim his fourth victory of the season, finishing 3.1 seconds ahead of Ryan Wood and Anton De Pasquale after surviving a late Safety Car restart.

Credit: Samuel Densley Photography

Cam Waters launched strongly from pole position and led the field into the opening corner, while Wood moved past Thomas Randle for third. Payne responded, setting the fastest lap on Lap 2 before attacking Waters at Turn 7 three laps later.

Wood also passed Waters and raced alongside Payne on the main straight. Payne moved across to defend, forcing the Toyota towards the grass and earning a warning from officials. The championship leader then used clean air to build an advantage.

Kai Allen progressed into third after passing Randle and Waters, while Payne’s margin over Wood reached six seconds before the compulsory pit stops.

Brodie Kostecki stopped on Lap 19 and changed three tyres, gaining time through the undercut. Allen and Randle stopped three laps later for four tyres, allowing Kostecki to force his way ahead at Turn 1. However, Chaz Mostert jumped the group with a rapid two-tyre stop.

Wood pitted from second on Lap 28, with Payne responding one lap later. Waters stopped at the same time but lost positions in a slow four-tyre service.

Allen attacked Kostecki before receiving a bad sportsmanship flag for pushing Randle onto the grass. Their battle intensified until Lap 39, when Allen attempted a move at Turn 1 and spun Kostecki into the sand.

The incident brought out the Safety Car and erased Payne’s 4.5-second lead. Officials decided Allen would not receive a penalty, setting up a seven-lap sprint to the finish.

Payne produced a perfect restart and immediately created a half-second margin. Behind him, De Pasquale used fresher tyres to challenge Mostert as several drivers fought for the final podium position.

De Pasquale passed Mostert during a frantic three-wide battle involving Waters at Turn 7, with Waters gaining two positions. Payne remained untroubled at the front and secured another important championship victory.

Wood finished second ahead of De Pasquale, Waters, Mostert and Allen. Broc Feeney recovered to seventh, followed by Andre Heimgartner, Randle and Rylan Gray.

Payne’s victory also delivered Ford the manufacturers’ championship after the brand moved 15 wins clear of Toyota with 14 races remaining.