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Live EPL on Sport Nation'It just sucks': Payne robbed of Supercars sprint crown
Justin Chadwick, AAP • August 23rd, 2026 8:20 pm
Matt Payne has been left to ponder the one that got away at Ipswich | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Triple Eight star Broc Feeney has claimed the Supercars Sprint crown after rival Matt Payne was forced out of the Ipswich Super 440 in heartbreaking fashion.
Payne entered Sunday's Race 28 with a whopping 110-point lead in the Championship standings and needing only a 17th-placed finish or better to secure the Sprint Cup title.
That would have not only guaranteed Payne a spot in October's finals but also 25 crucial bonus points.
But disaster struck on lap 33 of 62 of the 200km race, with his car inexplicably losing power and forcing him to the pits.
Matt Payne's day ended shortly after the halfway mark in Queensland | Photo: Supercars
"I've got no power, I've got no power," Payne said over the radio.
Payne's mechanical team couldn't work out a quick fix for the engine issue, forcing him to retire.
It meant Feeney, in his 150th race, could steal the Sprint Cup crown - as long as he finished third or better.
Feeney made the most of his unexpected golden chance by holding on for the win, with Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown rounding out the podium.
Payne cut a distraught figure after the race, but took the disappointment on the chin.
"It just sucks," Payne said.
"It sounded like an electrical issue, so really gutted. I was looking forward to wrapping up this Sprint Championship, but it is what it is.
"It sucks on the day, it sucks for the next few days, it sucks for the next couple of weeks,
"But everyone around here knows we're in a really good spot at the moment. Everyone knows the true potential of the team and hopefully we can come back out swinging."
Payne wasn't the only high-profile racer to have big dramas.
Broc Feeney's milestone race was one he'll never forget | Photo: Supercars
Chaz Mostert was sitting in the top five when his car lost power on lap 25, forcing him out of the race.
Sunday's result marked the second straight year Feeney has won the Sprint Cup crown.
"I've got to give a big credit to my dad because he's been telling me all week it wasn't over," Feeney said.
"Even today he said: 'you've still got a shot at this and you've got to be in it to win it'. I didn't believe it. I was telling him he was dreaming.
"Firstly, huge condolences to Grove (Racing) and Matty because to be honest he probably deserved this.
"They've done such a good job all year. We've been by far not as quick as they have."
Feeney wasn't able to follow up last year's Sprint Cup crown with the overall title and he is already looking ahead to the finals.
"I know the points go a long way, this trophy's awesome, but we're here for the big picture at the end," Feeney said.
"I know this doesn't guarantee anything at the back-end of the year. But it probably means a lot to us considering the up and down nature of this year."
RACE 28 RESULTS:
1. Broc Feeney (Triple Eight).2. Brodie Kostecki (Dick Johnson Racing), 3. Will Brown (Red Bull Ampol Racing), 4. Kai Allen (Grove Racing), 5. James Golding (CoolDrive Racing).
