Payne on pole for Sandown 500 grand final decider
Matt Payne took pole at the Sandown 500 opener; winning Saturday's race guarantees him a spot in the four-driver grand final.
Matt Payne claimed pole for the Sandown 500 opening race, securing his eighth pole of the season. The Grove Racing driver topped the shootout by just 0.0796 seconds in changing conditions.
Matt Payne achieved his best Sandown qualifying result ever. The Sandown 500 is the penultimate round of the Supercars finals series.
The race winner gets a guaranteed spot in the four-driver grand final in Adelaide. Payne, the championship leader, is now well positioned to secure his grand final berth.
Last year's champion Chaz Mostert qualified 10th after running wide into gravel at turn six. He must stay in the top four in the standings to reach the grand final.
Cam Waters lines up second on the grid and is also fighting to keep his title hopes alive.
- 0.0796 seconds
- Pole margin
- eighth
- Payne's poles this season
- 250km, 79 laps
- Race distance
- four drivers
- Grand final finalists
Why it mattersPayne can guarantee his grand final place by winning Saturday; only the top four finishers in the standings will make the cut for Adelaide.
AustraliaThe Sandown 500 is crucial for Supercars fans tracking the championship run to Adelaide's grand final this weekend.
Corroborated by7news.com.au
