Who is Matt Payne?

New Zealand young gun – Matt Payne was a rookie sensation in his first ever season in the Supercars Championship in 2023 and now sits 3rd in the Supercars Championship in 2025, after three race victories, including a historic win from 11th place recently in Tasmania.

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In his first ever season, Payne finished in the Top 10 eight times and qualified in the Top 10 nine times, including at most major events – the Formula One Australian Grand Prix, Townsville, Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000, Gold Coast 500 and Adelaide 500, competing in seven of the last eight Top 10 Shootouts of 2023.

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After Qualifying 2nd for the final race of the year in Adelaide, Payne stunned all, by taking the lead into turn 1 from Kostecki and leading from start to finish, claiming his first race win in his first rookie year, in dominant style. The Auckland star has always had success throughout his career. Matt was a multiple karting champion, including the KZ2 National Sprint Championship and also enjoyed success overseas before focusing on circuit racing, including 3rd place in his rookie season in the Super2 Championship in 2022.

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Matt Payne’s 2024 and 2025 Supercars campaigns have featured breakthrough victories, outstanding qualifying, tyre conservation, and a steady climb up the championship ranks each year. After finishing 6th in 2024, Payne is focussed on improving from his current position in 3rd within the Supercars Championship and challenging for the Supercars title in 2025.

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Following in Scott McLaughlin and Shane Van Gisbergen’s footsteps, Payne is tipped to be the next dominant

Kiwi Supercars driver and ultimately Supercars Champion, in the coming years.