Despite having to run behind closed doors and cram a nine-event, 27-race season into just over three months, the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship delivered another nail-biting year of entertainment in 2020 which culminated in Ashley Sutton being crowned champion for a second time.

Jam-packed with the usual twists and turns that fans have become accustomed to, the battle to lift the most coveted prize in British motorsport once again went down to the wire, with Sutton ultimately reigning supreme.

Rising to the challenge of staging a season in what has been an unprecedented year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the BTCC boasted bumper grids and in return served up a feast of tin top thrills and spills.

Making the switch to Laser Tools Racing and armed with a brand-new Infiniti Q50, 2017 champion Sutton underlined his credentials as a true touring car superstar by piecing together a sensational title challenge.

Going toe-to-toe with four-time champion Colin Turkington throughout the season, Sutton tallied no less than five wins as well as a further five podium finishes to topple the Northern Irishman and secure his second title in four seasons.

Some of the most memorable moments over the course of the year came from Sutton himself as he staged a number of stunning comeback drives to carve his way through the field and recover valuable points.

Overcoming a nine-point deficit on the final day of the season, Sutton mastered the challenging wet conditions to become the first Independent entrant to lift the title since Andrew Jordan in 2013.

Halfords Yuasa Racing’s Dan Cammish, Speedworks Motorsport’s Tom Ingram and Motorbase Performance’s Rory Butcher all staked their claim to the big prize during the year but none could ultimately stop Sutton’s charge.

Elsewhere, the quartet of Josh Cook, Ollie Jackson, Adam Morgan and Tom Oliphant were race winners along the way too.

The 2020 season also saw the history books rewritten as Jade Edwards became the first female driver to race in the series since Fiona Leggate in 2007. Edwards competed at Silverstone for Power Maxed Racing Jessica Hawkins made her BTCC bow at Snetterton.

In addition to clinching the biggest prize in UK motorsport, Sutton also wrapped up the BTCC Independent Drivers’ Championship and helped guide Laser Tools Racing to a maiden BTCC Independent Teams’ Championship title as well.

Team BMW wrapped up the BTCC Teams’ Championship and BTCC Manufacturers’ Championship titles. BTC Racing’s Michael Crees meanwhile was the victor of the Jack Sears Trophy, much to his delight.