It was a statement start to the 2026 season for Bowler Racing, as John Bowler (#14) converted a front row start into an impressive second-place finish in the opening race of the British Truck Racing Championship.
Lining up P2 — his first Division 1 front row start — Bowler was immediately put under pressure from Jenkins off the line. By Turn 3, the pair were side-by-side, but Bowler showed his intent early, defending firmly and holding position through the opening exchanges.
From there, the race settled into a controlled and composed drive. Bowler maintained a consistent gap to the leader while keeping the chasing pack at bay, demonstrating both strong pace and race management throughout the stint.
The race was brought to an early end following a red flag with just four minutes remaining, with Bowler crossing the line in second place — only 2.433 seconds shy of victory.
Further underlining the performance, Bowler set the fastest lap of the race with a 59.325, adding an extra championship point to cap off a standout opening race.
The result marks a significant milestone for both driver and team, rewarding the extensive work carried out over the winter and signalling clear intent for the season ahead — with the pace, consistency, and racecraft all firmly in place.
Post-Race Note
Following the race, Bowler was called to the stewards regarding the Lap 1 incident with Jenkins. In a controversial decision, a five-place grid penalty was applied for Race 2, although the Race 1 result remains unchanged.