Following a newsworthy off-season switch to Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship debutant NAPA Racing UK, three-time titleholder Ash Sutton proved his BTCC prowess to conclude the campaign in the runners-up spot despite tackling a new challenge in the front-wheel drive Ford Focus ST.
Having piloted the rear-wheel drive Subaru and Infiniti to glory, Sutton upheld his impressive reputation in the 2022 campaign, only finishing outside the points-paying positions on two occasions.
While fate denied the 28-year-old a visit to the top step of the podium during the first half of the year, substantial points hauls kept him in the mix until he secured NAPA Racing UK's maiden victory at Knockhill in entertaining fashion.
The Hertfordshire racer would take two further wins during 2022, notably taking to the rostrum with team-mate Dan Cammish at Thruxton as the pair clinched the squad's first 1-2 finish.
Heading into the finale, Sutton sat third in the title battle, and would conclude the year an impressive second place, beating title rival Jake Hill by just one point and bagging NAPA Racing UK the Teams' Championship in the process.
Driver Fact File
Name: Ash Sutton | BTCC Wins: 27 |
Team: NAPA Racing UK | BTCC Podiums: 62 |
Car: Ford Focus ST | BTCC Poles: 7 |
BTCC Debut: Brands Hatch Indy, 2016 | BTCC Fastest Laps: 29 |
BTCC Races: 207 | BTCC Points: 2112 |