Following a commanding pole position one day earlier, Global Motorsports Group’s (GMG) Andrew Palmer took an impressive flag-to-flag victory during race one of this weekend’s Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo Series North America at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

“It was great to return to victory lane,” stated Palmer. “After the disappointment at Sebring, everyone came prepared and motivated to take the win, and it really showed out there. This is such a great track with a lot of history, and it’s a great feeling to have a win here.”

Entering the 2014 season as the reigning World Title holder for the series, Palmer has embarked on an impressive run.Despite having driven in his first car race last October, Palmer has not only amassed several wins and a World Title in the No. 14 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4, but most recently took an impressive last-lap victory in the highly renowned Pirelli World Challenge Series.

After grabbing pole position by nearly a second over the competition, the 19-year old would never look back during the race, opening up a three-second lead by the third lap, and never putting a foot wrong. Holding almost a 20-second lead over the competition, a late race caution would end the race under yellow flag conditions, with Palmer taking the victory having led every lap.

Meanwhile, the No. 88 Lamborghini Vancouver machine of Ryan Ockey would also have a strong day during race one. After qualifying on the front row, Ockey would be the only driver who could hold pace with Palmer, running the opening laps in second place, and building a gap over the rest of the field. Unfortunately, an rare mistake would cost the driver dearly, as he would run off course and spend the majority of his event trying to catch the field. Luckily, patient and heads-up driving would put the Canadian in third for the Sportsman category by race end, earning him a podium in his series debut.

“It was a bittersweet race, but we definitely enjoyed it,” stated Ockey. “I was focused on staying in touch with Andrew for the race, and we were definitely growing our lead. Unfortunately going off track ended up being very costly, but at the same time it was great having to race up through the field. Everyone at GMG did a great job preparing the car and I’m thankful for a fun experience.”

Finally, the No. 69 Lamborghini Beverly Hills machine of Tom O’Gara would suffer a different fate. With Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca serving as his home event, the Los Angeles resident ran an impressive opening half of the event, including turning his fastest lap times of the weekend by the end of the race. Unfortunately, a late-race error would send the driver in to the tire barriers of turn four during the closing laps of the race. He would walk away unhurt.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to end, but that’s racing,” stated O’Gara. “We were getting our lap times down to some really good numbers, and that should bode well for tomorrow. Everyone on the team has done an impressive job of jumping right in and getting the car fixed and ready for tomorrow.”

With the team at work to prepare their machines for race two, the second round will take place today at 1:00 PM PST.