Matt Payne clinches pole for Sandown 500 ahead of Anton De Pasquale

Matt Payne recorded the fastest time in the Top 10 Shootout for the Penrite Oil Sandown 500, posting a 1:08.110 lap in his #19 Ford Mustang to claim pole position. He will line up alongside fellow Finals Series contender Anton De Pasquale for the Sunday race.

"I had great confidence after yesterday, obviously converting in the same positions," Payne said, noting adjustments made to the soft tyre overnight.

"It’s not easy. You don’t want to mess it up. It’s hard around here because there are so many spots you absolutely need to nail, especially with the kerbs."

The pole marks Payne’s ninth of the season, putting him just behind Brodie Kostecki, who holds the most poles with three remaining races before the Adelaide Grand Final. Payne added that he feels a strong connection with the Adelaide event.

PremiAir Racing’s Cooper Murray qualified third, while Kostecki secured fourth after winning the Saturday opener. Zach Bates qualified fifth for Matt Stone Racing, and Triple Eight’s Broc Feeney moved up to sixth from tenth. The remaining top-10 qualifiers were Kai Allen, Andre Heimgartner, Thomas Randle and James Golding.

Race 2 of the Sandown 500 is scheduled to start at 3:30 pm AEDT.