Saanich's Bill Okell started off his half-century celebration season by securing two victories at the U.S. Majors Hoosier Super Tour event held at Buttonwillow Raceway Park on Feb. 22-23.
In a field of 138 entrants, Okell stood out as the lone Canadian competitor in the California event, clinching his 19th victory since joining the series in 2014.
Heading into the weekend, Okell set three goals, all of which he accomplished.
"On paper, we had a perfect weekend," said Okell. "The car remained in great condition, I drove safely and confidently, and I competed to the best of my ability. Winning both races was a cherry on top."
Okell captured the checkered flag in the opening race on Saturday but noted a slight issue with the vehicle. Immediately after the race, he turned to his crew chief, Joe Carr, for insight.
"When I finished the race, I told Joe that the brakes were feeling a bit off. We discovered I had worn them all the way down to the pads," said Okell.
Despite the setback, Okell and Carr worked quickly to replace the worn-out brakes in time for Sunday’s race, ensuring his vehicle was ready to go.
This year’s Hoosier Super Tour marked a significant milestone as competitors faced off on Buttonwillow’s newly updated 10-turn track, known as "The Circuit."
Though Buttonwillow has long been a staple of the tour, this was the first time racers ventured onto the revamped layout, adding an extra layer of challenge to the event.
Friday's practice sessions allowed Okell to familiarize himself with the new configuration, and he was able to fine-tune his approach to the course in preparation for the races ahead.
"My car was up to the challenge of the new track," said Okell. "These cars are considered ‘momentum cars,’ which means they don’t perform their best at high speeds. When you push them to the limit on long, straightaways, it can create vibrations, especially in smaller vehicles like mine. But the setup was spot on, and I felt good about our performance."
Following a successful practice day on Friday and a victory in the first race on Saturday, Okell was optimistic heading into the final race of the weekend.
"When things start going your way and you get into a rhythm, you start to feel that a successful weekend is within reach," said Okell.
Looking ahead, Okell is preparing for his next challenge: a race weekend at the Portland International Raceway on May. 10-11.
