DAN Rowbottom showcased his title credentials with a race win and podium finish in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Thruxton.
Rowbottom won the final race of the weekend after a third-place finish in race two and finished fifth in race one.
The Kidderminster driver sits third in the drivers’ standings on 132 points, 49 points behind leader and teammate Ash Sutton.
Rowbottom said: “It was a great way to end the day. We’ve had a good points haul this weekend, I’m really pleased and we’ve just got to try and keep eeking the points out of Ash (Sutton), he’s got a bit of a head start but we’ll do our best.
“We’ve got a long way to go, we’re trying to show that we are here and that we mean business.
“I don’t care if I win this championship with one win or no wins, ultimately that’s the goal and we’ll keep pushing for it.”
Rowbottom secured his second race win of the season at Thruxton in the final race of the weekend.
The NAPA Racing UK driver overtook pole-sitter James Dorlin on the first lap.
And he then snatched the lead from Josh Cook with a trademark move down the inside at Segrave corner.
Rowbottom comfortably secured the race win as teammate Dan Cammish finished third while title rival Tom Ingram denied NAPA Racing a one-two.
And Rowbottom also finished on the podium in race two following some post-race drama.
Rowbottom initially crossed the line in fourth place behind Sutton, Ingram and Cook.
However, a post-race inspection saw Cook’s car excluded from the final result for failing ride height checks.
Rowbottom swapped positions with Jake Hill on a number of occasions in the closing laps.
And Rowbottom even ventured across the grass after fluid dropped on to the circuit from Mikey Doble’s Vauxhall.
However, the Kidderminster driver eventually secured a podium finish owing to Cook’s post-race disqualification.
The BTCC season continues at Oulton Park on the weekend of June 21 and 22.
