Percat takes drought-breaking win in Melbourne as Payne spun out

Matt Stone Racing’s Nick Percat has ended a four-year winless streak by holding off Red Bull duo Will Brown and Broc Feeney for victory in the final race of the Melbourne SuperSprint.

Brown finished just 0.3810 seconds behind to win the Larry Perkins Trophy as the round’s highest point scorer.

There was more heartbreak for New Zealand’s Matt Payne, who was taken out of the lead by a Ford driver for the second time in as many races.

Payne had bettered pole-sitter Chaz Mostert off the line and led into Turn 1, retaining the position until the third lap when Mostert locked up and hit the back of the Penrite Mustang, sending both cars off.

Payne recovered in fourth but was sent into a spin by Bryce Fullwood the following circuit, which dropped him to 22nd. Mostert and Fullwood received 5-second penalties.

Having sat third, Percat suddenly found himself at the front with Feeney in behind.

The Red Bull entry briefly hit the lead on Lap 8, but a well-executed criss-cross maneuver from Percat put him back at the front. As Feeney battled, Brown pounced, taking second off his teammate on Lap 9 before heading in pursuit of Percat.

The MSR Camro would hold on for the win over Brown, with Feeney completing the podium.

Thomas Randle found a change of fortunes to finish fourth as the first Mustang home. He was elevated ahead of Mostert, who crossed the line fourth and only lost one position from the penalty.

Richie Stanaway was the first Kiwi home in eighth, while Payne charged from 22nd to 14th at the chequered flag.

Ryan Wood tapped Cameron Hill into a spin on the final lap and received a 30-second penalty as a result, which dropped him to 21st, behind Andre Heimgartner in 17th and Jaxon Evans in 18th.

Supercars Race 6 Results

Header Image: Matt Stone Racing