Matt Payne takes provisional pole at Townsville 500

Supercars championship leader Matt Payne secured provisional pole for the final race of the Townsville 500, posting a lap of 1 minute 12.8435 seconds. The result extends his advantage over rival Broc Feeney after Payne claimed his third race win of the season on Saturday.

Cam Waters was the nearest challenger, finishing just 0.003 seconds slower, followed by Brodie Kostecki and former champion Chaz Mostert. Feeney rebounded to fifth after missing the top‑10 shootout for the first time in 78 races. The Townsville 500 is a pivotal round, three weekends before the Sprint Cup champion is crowned.

The provisional grid sets the stage for the top‑10 shootout later on Sunday, which will determine the final starting order for Race 22 at Reid Park Street Circuit.