In a dramatic development that has rocked the Supercars Championship, Grove Racing driver Matt Payne has lodged a formal request for a special technical inspection of Broc Feeney’s Red Bull Ampol Racing car, just minutes after the chequered flag fell on the Tasmania Super 440.

The 22-year-old New Zealander, who finished a strong second behind Feeney in the final race at Symmons Plains, claims he holds video evidence showing Feeney’s team using a “mysterious device” on the #88 Ford Mustang shortly before the race. Payne alleges the device may have given Feeney an unfair performance advantage, particularly in the closing laps where the championship leader pulled away dramatically from the rest of the field.

Under pressure from the formal protest, Supercars officials immediately ordered an urgent post-race inspection of Feeney’s car to ensure technical compliance. When the results were finally released just hours later, the entire Supercars community was left stunned — including Matt Payne himself.

The bombshell announcement has sent shockwaves through the paddock and ignited fierce debate among fans, teams and drivers across Australia and New Zealand.

Payne, who drove an outstanding race to secure his second podium of the season, stood by his decision when speaking briefly to media. “I race hard and I expect everyone else to do the same, but it has to be fair,” he said. “I saw something that raised serious questions and I felt it was my responsibility to bring it forward.”

The young Kiwi driver, known for his calm and respectful demeanour, appeared visibly uncomfortable with the attention the protest has generated. Sources close to the Grove Racing garage say Payne hesitated for some time before submitting the request, only doing so after reviewing the footage multiple times with his engineer.

Broc Feeney, who dominated Race 16 to record his fourth win of the 2026 season, has not yet issued a public statement. However, Red Bull Ampol Racing team manager Mark Dutton described the protest as “surprising and disappointing”, insisting the #88 car passed all pre-race and post-race scrutineering without issue.

“This is a high-level championship and protests are part of the sport, but we have full confidence in the legality of our car,” Dutton said.

Background to the Controversy

The Tasmania Super 440 had already delivered plenty of on-track action, with Feeney once again showcasing why he is the man to beat this season. Starting from pole, the 26-year-old Queenslander controlled the race comfortably and crossed the line more than seven seconds ahead of Payne.

Many observers noted Feeney’s car appeared exceptionally strong on tyre wear and in high-speed corners during the final stint. It was this apparent advantage that first raised eyebrows for Payne and his team.

Supercars technical director Andrew Westacott confirmed the inspection was carried out under strict protocol by independent scrutineers. While the full details of the findings have not been publicly released, senior officials described the outcome as “unexpected”.

The fact that even Matt Payne appeared shocked by the result suggests the inspection may have uncovered something significant — or alternatively, completely cleared Feeney’s team in a way that has left more questions than answers.

Reactions Across the Paddock

The news has divided opinions within the tight-knit Supercars community. Some drivers privately support Payne’s right to protest, while others believe it damages the spirit of the sport.

Triple Eight Race Engineering boss Jamie Whincup, who oversees Feeney’s team, was blunt when asked for comment: “We race every weekend with the same rules as everyone else. If there’s an issue, it should be dealt with properly through the correct channels.”

Meanwhile, fellow Kiwi and Grove Racing teammate Kai Allen backed Payne, saying: “Matt is an honest bloke. He wouldn’t do this unless he truly believed something wasn’t right.”

Social media has exploded since the story broke, with #PayneProtest and #FeeneyGate trending nationally. Opinions range from strong support for Payne’s bravery to heavy criticism accusing him of sour grapes after losing the race.

What Happens Next?

Supercars stewards are expected to review the protest and inspection findings in the coming days and deliver a formal ruling. Possible outcomes include everything from a full clearance for Feeney to a points deduction or even a race disqualification — although the latter is considered unlikely.

The controversy comes at a crucial time in the 2026 championship, with Feeney currently leading the standings by a comfortable margin. Any penalty could significantly tighten the title race heading into the next rounds.

For Matt Payne, this protest represents a bold move in only his third full season in the main game. While it may earn him respect for standing up for what he believes is right, it also risks straining relationships within the paddock.

As the dust settles on what has become one of the most talked-about moments of the season so far, one thing is certain — the Tasmania Super 440 will be remembered not just for Broc Feeney’s on-track dominance, but for the dramatic off-track protest that followed.

The Supercars world now waits anxiously for the official verdict. Whatever the outcome, this incident has once again highlighted how intense and competitive Australia’s premier motorsport category truly is.