The Setting: Why Buttonwillow Matters
The opening round of our 2026 SCCA season brought us to Buttonwillow Raceway Park for the first SCCA Hoosier Super Tour of the year, February 21 – 22, 2026.
We raced on The Circuit configuration — Buttonwillow’s newer layout that’s been operating for over a year now and we were here last year, for the very first competition race weekend and event ever held at the new track. Ron competed here twice last season. For the rest of the team, we’ve logged time here supporting customers. But this was our first time bringing the Nissan 370Z to this configuration in race trim.
Touring 3 remains one of the most competitive, tightly regulated classes in SCCA road racing. The cars are production-based, but execution is everything. Small setup shifts matter. Tire management matters. Driver discipline matters.
Buttonwillow’s The Circuit layout also brings a very different technical personality compared to the original “Buttonwillow 13CW” configuration that many West Coast racers grew up on. Traditional Buttonwillow rewards aggression, commitment over bumps, and managing long-flowing corner sequences with a little bit of chaos built into the surface and sightlines. The Circuit, by comparison, feels more modern and much more precise. The pavement quality is smoother, the transitions are faster, and the corners tend to stack technical decisions on top of each other.
Several sections reward sacrificing entry speed to maximize minimum corner speed and throttle commitment on exit, while other complexes punish even tiny balance mistakes with lost momentum that carries for multiple corners afterward. It’s also a track where aero drag, mechanical grip, brake release timing, and tire temperature management all become more interconnected than people initially expect. A car that feels “pretty good” for one lap can quickly become difficult over a race run if the balance isn’t properly managed. In many ways, The Circuit feels less like old-school club racing Buttonwillow and more like a purpose-built modern technical circuit that rewards disciplined engineering and adaptable drivers.
At just over 2.5 miles in length, The Circuit combines roughly two dozen corners and transitional elements ranging from slow, technical rotation zones to fast, committed sweepers that reward precision and patience. The layout constantly shifts between decreasing-radius corners, long loaded exits, quick direction changes, and several areas where throttle timing matters more than outright bravery. For Touring 3 cars, gearing becomes especially important because many sections sit right on the edge between carrying momentum in a taller gear versus risking upsetting the platform with an additional shift.
The track surface itself is relatively smooth compared to the original Buttonwillow layouts, but the environment still plays a huge role in grip evolution. Located in California’s Central Valley, the circuit is frequently impacted by wind carrying fine dust and sand onto the racing line, while dramatic temperature swings between cold mornings and warmer afternoons can significantly change tire behavior and overall balance throughout a race weekend.
Buttonwillow’s Circuit layout rewards rhythm and precision. There aren’t many places to hide mistakes. It’s a track that exposes imbalance — mechanical or mental.
That made it the perfect place to start the year.
The Mindset: Process Over Outcome
Coming into the weekend, our objectives were clear:
- Establish a stable performance baseline for the 370Z
- Continue refining Ron’s throttle application and adaptability
- Validate our tire pressure management process
- Execute cleanly as a team
We intentionally chose to run lightly used tires instead of bolting on fresh rubber. Not to handicap ourselves, but to operate with discipline and long-term planning in mind.
For Ron, this season is about expanding his toolbox. He’s put in serious off-season work — simulator training, Porsche ice driving, DirtFish advanced programs — all focused on becoming more adaptable and decisive with inputs.
For the team, this season is about raising our operational standard. When something breaks, we fix it properly. When development is needed, we create bandwidth for it.
No chasing. No scrambling.
Build it right.
The Weekend Story
The Journey South
Jordan and Ian drove the truck down through snow over the Oregon passes. Enough weather to keep things interesting, but they maintained traction and avoided chains. We arrived in California clean and on schedule.
That matters more than people think.
Testing: Cold Mornings, Steady Gains
Thursday brought cold temps and passing showers. Ron used early sessions to reacquaint himself with slip and rotation. By Friday he was back at 2:00.0 pace — only tenths off his personal best from last year at this track.
The 370Z test sessions were structured and deliberate. Controlled three-lap tire validation runs. Minor line adjustments through Turn 3, 5, 8, and 10. By Friday afternoon, we were consistently in the 1:56s with room left in the data.
The car was stable. Predictable. Repeatable.
Baseline established.
Mechanical Curveballs
Late Friday we discovered the Nissan’s clutch was nearing end-of-life.
Saturday morning became paddock surgery.
Transmission out.
Clutch replaced.
Qualifying missed.
Ron’s clutch was also right at a season’s worth of cycles, so we proactively replaced his as well. Two clutch jobs in one weekend.
It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was done calmly and correctly.
That’s culture.
Saturday Race: From the Back
Starting P28 overall after missing qualifying, the only direction was forward.
The opening lap was tight but clean. From there, it was controlled aggression and patience.
Twenty-two passes in twenty-five minutes.
Finished:
- P6 overall
- P2 in Touring 3
Fastest lap of the race would have placed us P2 on the grid for Sunday.
All on used tires.
Sunday: Clean Execution
Sunday qualifying required careful temperature management after diagnosing a cooling fan issue. Despite traffic on both flying laps:
- P2 in class
- P4 overall
The race start was steady. The leaders stretched a gap as the rear tires began to show their age around lap five. Turn 1 required finesse and progressive inputs to manage increasing rotation.
Post-race inspection confirmed tire edge wear consistent with heavy cycling.
Final result:
- P2 in class
Not quite the fight for P1 we would have liked, but an honest and disciplined run.
Ron: Double Podium Weekend
Ron started P3 in class Sunday and battled closely with Spec MX-5 cars running in STL for additional seat time. Those cars were quick and the racing was tight.
There was side-to-side contact exiting Turn 3 that pushed him wide, but he stayed composed and fought back.
He finished:
- P3 in class
- Double podium weekend
Both races resulted in an all-Pacific Northwest podium sweep, with Scotty B White completing the trio.
Ron left energized and sharper. More sensitive to the car. More decisive on throttle. Clear on what to improve next.
That’s exactly what this weekend was for.
What We Take With Us
We worked through:
- Snow-covered travel
- Two clutch replacements
- Cooling fan troubleshooting
- Traffic-filled qualifying sessions
- Tire degradation management
None of it materially impacted our results.
More importantly, the 370Z now has a clear and repeatable performance baseline. The upgraded big brake kit performed flawlessly. The car responds predictably to setup changes.
We leave Buttonwillow not chasing something unknown — but building on something understood.
That’s the difference.
Goals were pursued with discipline.
Smiles were earned in the paddock and at dinner tables.
Memories were made in the moments that required composure.
Next stop: Sonoma Raceway with NASA.
The foundation is set.
Now we build.
