BTCC Jul 10, 2026 3:01 PM Source: BTCC Official

7-Eleven: Ash Sutton

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Continuing the 7-Eleven series during the mid-season break, celebrating the seven different drivers to win a race and the 11 different drivers to reach the podium so far in 2026, we turn to the man leading the way in both categories: four-time champion Ash Sutton. The NAPA Racing UK driver has been the standout performer of the opening third of the season, taking five wins and nine podiums from the first 12 races to build a commanding 48-point lead. Here's how the #116 took every one of those podiums.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Donington Park</strong></p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sutton's year got off to the unlikeliest of starts. A clash with Tom Ingram (Team VERTU) in Saturday's Qualifying Race left Sutton out of that contest and last on the grid for race day. The Ford Focus Titanium racer wasted no time in rectifying his Saturday, gaining eight places on the opening lap alone to move up to 13th, before continuing his charge through the field to cross the line fourth on the road. With Ingram later disqualified for a significant overboost infringement and Daniel Rowbottom (Cataclean Plato Racing) handed a time penalty, Sutton was promoted to second, salvaging an impressive result.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There was no stopping the #116 after that. Starting Race 2 from second on the grid, Sutton took the lead by the exit of Redgate on the opening tour and never looked back, controlling the race to the flag for his 48th career BTCC win. Sutton doubled up in Race 3, making it two wins from two to complete a perfect turnaround from his Saturday setback. The victory closed out the opening weekend of the season and marked his 300th BTCC start in style.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Brands Hatch Indy</strong></p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The NAPA Racing UK driver made it three wins in a row in the opening round of the weekend, starting from pole and keeping the chasing pack at bay. Ricky Collard (Team VERTU) mounted a serious challenge in the closing laps, eventually passing Sutton for the lead on lap 12 in what developed into a top-class scrap between the pair. Sutton returned the favour just a lap later to reclaim the position and hold on for his 50th career triumph in just 301 starts.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Race 2 brought the unknown in worsening conditions. Sutton retained the lead from pole, darting clear through Druids before a first-lap safety car paused the action. As rain intensified through the second half of the race and drivers scrambled, Árón Taylor-Smith (Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport) delivered a sensational drive from 13th on the grid, catching and passing Sutton to claim a first win in ten years. Sutton crossed the line second, unable to match the pace of the flying Toyota Corolla GR Sport.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The weekend finale saw Sutton produce one of the drives of the weekend. Starting seventh, he stormed through the field to fight around the outside of polesitter James Dorlin (Restart Racing) at Paddock Hill Bend to challenge for the lead, before settling for second as Dorlin held firm out in front. Sutton held on to complete six podiums from six races to open the campaign, a perfect start that took his championship lead to 47 points heading into the season's hottest weekend so far.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Snetterton 300</strong></p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sutton answered a difficult Race to Pole in trademark style on Sunday. Starting Race 2 from 10th on the grid, the #116 carved his way forward, passing Dan Cammish (NAPA Racing UK) before setting his sights on Ingram out front. The pressure told on the approach to the Wilson hairpin, where Ingram ran deep and handed Sutton the lead. From there, the NAPA Racing UK star controlled the race to the flag, sealing a dominant win by more than six seconds, his 51st career triumph.<br><br>Race 3 brought a further podium in a frenetic finale. Sutton spent much of the race chasing down leader Gordon Shedden, closing to within a few tenths on multiple occasions, but the Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport driver held his nerve to the flag. Sutton crossed the line second to extend his championship advantage to 57 points.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Oulton Park Island</strong></p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sutton was back to his best in the second race of the day in Cheshire. Starting seventh, he was up to fifth by the end of the opening lap before passing Josh Cook (Speedworks Corolla Racing) for fourth, setting his sights on the battling leaders ahead. On lap three, the #116 used his soft-tyre advantage to sweep past title rival Ingram into Cascades, before quickly passing NAPA Racing UK teammate Cammish as the duo were on differing strategies, to a lead he would never relinquish. With a clear track in front of him, Sutton romped away to cross the line 19.333 seconds clear for his fifth win of the campaign.</p>

<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Sutton sits in the summer break now with a 48-point lead over Ingram at the top of the standings, and his sights firmly set on building towards a record-breaking fifth BTCC title when the championship resumes at Thruxton (25/26 July).</p>

7-Eleven: Ash Sutton

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