Kai Allen secures Adelaide Grand Final berth for Penrite Racing in an action packed weekend at Sandown.

Penrite Racing will fly the flag proudly at the inaugural Adelaide Grand Final in two weeks’ time after a dramatic round of the Repco Supercars Championship at Sandown Raceway.

Rookie sensation Kai Allen has officially secured his place in the final four contenders for the 2025 Supercars title, capping off a strong and remarkably consistent weekend at the Penrite Oil Sandown 500. He will join Broc Feeney, Chaz Mostert and Will Brown in what is shaping up to be one of the most compelling finales in Supercars history on the streets of Adelaide.

While Sandown delivered a breakthrough moment for Allen, it was a tougher outing for Bathurst 1000 winner Matt Payne, who missed out on a Grand Final berth after being caught in an incident with Cameron Waters late in Sunday’s race. Despite significant steering damage, Payne still fought bravely to stay in the contest, but the car became too difficult to manage – an unfortunate end after an outstanding season.

Across the entire weekend, Penrite Racing proved one of the most adaptable teams in the field as the category switched between Dunlop’s super soft tyre on Saturday and the soft tyre on Sunday. Both Mustangs qualified inside the top 10 for each race, and until Payne’s damage on Sunday, were on track for strong finishes.

In Saturday’s opening race, Payne and Allen ran nose-to-tail for much of the 250km battle, finishing sixth and seventh. Their combined points haul pushed them to fourth and fifth in the standings heading into Sunday.

Midway through the second race, Payne held a slender points advantage over Allen, but once Payne’s race unravelled, Allen stepped up under pressure -finishing sixth and securing his place in the Adelaide Grand Final. It marks a well-earned reward for the rookie, who has put together a stellar first season highlighted by five podiums.

Supercars now heads to the iconic Adelaide street circuit from 27-30 November, where the Grand Final will play out across three races: Friday’s 100km sprint followed by two 200km contests across the weekend.

KAI ALLEN

#26 Penrite Racing Driver

“Making the Grand Final still feels surreal. I’m gutted for Matt because our goal was to get both Penrite Racing Mustangs in, but I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team this weekend.

Fuel saving at the end made things tough, especially with James Courtney coming on strong, but I knew if I held my position, we’d get the result we needed.

To be locked into no worse than fourth in the championship in my rookie season is unreal. The whole team has worked their butts off all year and stuck together through the toughest of moments. I know Matty will come out swinging in Adelaide and help push us right to the front.

A lot of people counted me out at the Gold Coast because I’d never raced there, but we came home sixth. This weekend was about maximising everything – and to now be in the top four is beyond anything I expected. I’m pumped to head to Adelaide and have a red-hot crack.”

MATT PAYNE

#19 Penrite Racing Driver

“It’s obviously disappointing not to make the Adelaide Grand Final after the season we’ve put together, but I’m genuinely stoked for Kai and proud that Penrite Racing will still be in the fight for the championship.

We needed a solid result today and sometimes motorsport can be cruel. We did everything right, but the incident with Waters took the decision out of our hands.

Still, I’m very proud of my year and confident we’ll come back stronger in 2026. For now, my full focus is on supporting Kai in Adelaide – one team, one dream.”

DAVID CAUCHI
Team Principal, Penrite Racing

“Kai making the Grand Final is a fantastic reward for the whole team. Of course, we wanted both cars through, and it’s disappointing Matt missed out because he has been exceptional all year.

But this is exactly why you run two cars – motorsport can turn quickly, and in a finals line-up this tight, small moments can change everything. Matt should hold his head high. He’s had an incredible season, and he’ll go to Adelaide ready to race hard.

For Kai, reaching the final four in his rookie season is an amazing achievement. He’s an exceptional young man and a seriously impressive driver. We’re comfortable being the dark horse heading into Adelaide – we know what we’re capable of.”