Matt Payne was set to make NASCAR debut at Sonoma for RCR, move blocked by Grove Racing/Ford @NikolaiPCulp

Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

Supercars driver and 2025 Bathurst 1000 winner Matt Payne was set to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut for Richard Childress Racing at Sonoma, according to Will Buxton. Payne is “adamant” on running in the Cup Series and is even interested in making the full time switch, according to Buxton. The move for Sonoma was blocked by Grove (Penrite?) Racing and Ford, presumably because RCR is a Chevy team. Will Payne get his nascar debut in 2027?

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Matt Payne was set to make NASCAR debut at Sonoma for RCR, move blocked by Grove Racing/Ford

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