'What a turnaround': Matt Payne overcomes tyre mishap to take victory in Christchurch
A wayward tyre may have sabotaged Matt Payne's chances in Supercars' race two at Christchurch, but the Grove Racing driver orchestrated a "massive turnaround" just hours later to claim victory.
His team Grove Racing was fined $1500 and docked 30 teams' championship points after the Kiwi's wheel flew off in race two moments after he made a pitstop. He finished 19th.
However, just hours later came sweet redemption - a commanding victory in the third 120km race of the weekend.
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Matt Payne lost a wheel after pitting. FOX Sports
Payne exploded off the starting line and never looked back, ultimately holding off Broc Feeney and James Golding to take the chequered flag. It was his first win of the year, and his first since the last year's season-finale in Adelaide.
"We had a wheel go missing down the middle of the track a few hours ago. What a turnaround," said Payne.
"Man, our car has been so fast all day. We rolled out really strong and just being able to use it today and being able to finally get the win this afternoon has been so epic.
He drove back to the pits on three wheels. FOX Sports
"The guys and girls have done such a good job with it. We rolled out strong and I was so happy.
"I thought we were going to get there in the first race today but fortunately we did it in the second."
The stewards gave the hefty sanctions to the team after reviewing the pit stop and believing there was an "unsafe release."
It was Payne's first win of the year. Getty
Payne's right rear wheel parted company coming out of turn nine and came to rest on the grass between turn four and five.
"The stewards reviewed the relevant broadcast vision of the pit stop," a statement said.
"The vision showed Car 19 was serviced in the pits and both rear wheels were changed.
"The right rear was not properly secured and separated from the car once back on track.
"The stewards conclude that the car was released in an unsafe condition and the penalty is consistent with other penalties imposed for similar incidents."
In Saturday's opening event, it was Brodie Kostecki who was eventual winner with Payne's teammate Kai Allen in second and Ryan Wood rounding out the podium.
Supercars continues on Sunday with qualifying at 9.50am AEST, before the final race of the weekend, a 200km feature, scheduled for 1.05pm AEST.
