Million, Palomar Racing Win NASA ST5 at Buttonwillow
BUTTONWILLOW, CA | 16 April 2022
Palomar Racing driver Matt Million took a commanding win in the Super Touring 5 (ST5) category during the Round 7 of the 2022 NASA SoCal ST5 Championship at Buttonwillow Raceway. The 25-minute race ran on Saturday, April 16th. This was the 4th win of the season between Million and teammate Romano in 7 rounds.
Million qualified on pole in the class of six entries. Setting a time of 1:57:5, Million felt this was about where the pace was. “There was four tenths left had I hit my mark better over Bus Stop and gotten a better run onto the main straight to start the lap. Still a new benchmark for this class and car!”
Million led from flag-to-flag in the race ultimately opening up a gap of over ten seconds. In the process, a new ST5 track record was set at a 1:58:1. “I’m pleased with how consistent the #25 felt compared to qualifying. Usually when the sun comes out here, you loose over a second in lap time. Straightforward race. When I saw the #88 Bittneracing entry line up alongside with brand-new tires, I knew I had to put on a show and end any chance he thought was possible! I love Buttonwillow and every lap was flowing. The ‘oops’ moment came when the team told me to back down the pace slightly around halfway. I lost my flow for a moment and hooked a kerb wrong, ultimately bending the left-rear rim. So happy it was good until the finish but a heart-stopping moment! Small lesson to learn from the weekend in pace management. Thank you Palomar Racing crew in Andy, Mike, Blair, David, Nik, and others who make this 2022 E2/ST5 Challenge possible!”
“Excellent day today! Each time we come together as a team, it’s massive leaps forward. Hard to believe we’ve been together for only a few months and seeing the progress we’re making. We have to show up and perform at the highest level possible in order to locate the weak points in the program. Everything needs to be clinical if the Palomar Racing wants to win the NASA Nationals in September. Today was a forward step for the small things; communication, trust, routine. The car was fantastic and I could usually make it do what I wanted, when I wanted. It’s very front biased currently and we’re working to shift it rearward slightly. The Motion Control Suspension package combined with our Swift Springs gave me the confidence over kerbs I needed to push a high pace around here. It’s a pleasure to be racing for Palomar Racing, our ceiling can be pushed far higher!
Look for Matt Million’s ‘April Update’ to be published soon.