Nash claims maiden BTCC victory
James Nash clinched his maiden British Touring Car victory in Sunday's third race at Snetterton
The 23-year-old started the reverse-grid race from the front row and took the lead after tapping pole-sitter Rob Collard into a spin at the Bombhole.
Collard was collected by Stephen Jelley's BMW, provoking a long safety car period and four-lap dash to the flag at the end. Nash kept his Chevrolet just ahead of championship leader Colin Turkington, who had to switch his focus from attacking for the lead to defending his place from title rival Fabrizio Giovanardi on the final lap.
Giovanardi's Vauxhall team-mates Matt Neal and Andrew Jordan followed him home in fourth and fifth places, with James Thompson recovering from a first lap clash with Harry Vaulkhard to complete the top six.
Paul O'Neill had run as high as third in the race, in which he survived a drama behind the safety car. The leaders had to brake as the safety car was released from the pitlane and O'Neill locked up and swerved to avoid Turkington, only just keeping his Honda out of the wall. But he was later bundled down to seventh place.
Jason Plato meanwhile could only manage 14th place, a lap down, after having to pit with a mechanical problem on the fifth lap.
Pos Driver Car Time/Gap 1. James Nash Chevrolet 30m33.273s 2. Colin Turkington BMW +0.484 3. Fabrizio Giovanardi Vauxhall +0.717 4. Matt Neal Vauxhall +1.009 5. Andrew Jordan Vauxhall +3.099 6. James Thompson Honda +5.836 7. Paul O'Neill Honda +6.066 8. Adam Jones SEAT +7.175 9. Jonathan Adam BMW +7.407 10. David Pinkney Honda +10.069 11. Martin Johnson Vauxhall +11.102 12. John George Honda +13.633 13. Gordon Shedden SEAT +25.709 14. Jason Plato Chevrolet +1 lap Retirements Rob Collard BMW 12 laps Stephen Jelley BMW 12 laps Tom Chilton Ford 5 laps Harry Vaulkhard Chevrolet 0 laps
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