Patrizi is at the centre of the ongoing saga around the 23-year-old Supercars star’s future.
It emerged this morning that Chevrolet had offered Payne a ride in the Cup Series race at Sonoma through Richard Childress Racing.
While the June 28 race does not clash with a Supercars fixture, Grove has blocked the potential debut.
Team owner Stephen Grove cited his team’s relationship with Ford and ongoing management of Payne’s wrist injury as reasons for the decision.
He also questioned why GM would seek out Payne for the drive, rather than select from its own stable.
Patrizi told Code Sports that the chance for Payne to compete in the Cup Series is a “fantastic opportunity” gone begging.
“It would have been an incredible opportunity not only for Matthew, but for Australian motorsport,” he said.
“Seeing one of our brightest talents compete against NASCAR’s best can only help grow motorsport and inspire the next generations.
“When a manufacturer like GM wants to place a driver at a top team like RCR in their top tier this says a lot about how Matthew is regarded and speaks volumes about how they view Supercars.
“What Shane [van Gisbergen] has achieved in NASCAR has been tremendous.
“He’s opened the door and introduced a whole new audience to the talent coming out of this region.
“Opportunities like this help continue the story.
“It would have been a fantastic opportunity for writing another positive story for the sport as a whole.”
Patrizi, a former Supercars driver in his own right, is said to be behind a touted plan for Payne to leave Grove in favour of a future with GM.
GM is understood to want Payne to race in Supercars with Team 18, luring the star with a hefty salary and promises of international opportunities.
However, Grove Racing has insisted Payne must first see out his current contract that runs through to the end of 2027.
The NASCAR cameo offer appears a somewhat cheeky salvo amid the apparent stalemate in a saga that began almost 12 months ago.
GM is chasing a star driver to bolster its Supercars ranks, while Payne’s recent success makes him one of the category’s hottest prospects.
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