Race Report: Palomar Racing Wins E2 in NASA WERC Seaside Cup 6.5h, Podium in E1
Monterey, CA | September 19th, 2022
After the 2022 NASA Championships, the turnaround time was less than 24 hours before Palomar Racing’s next race.
On the Monday following NASA Championships, it was Round 5 of 6 for NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship; the 6.5 hour Seaside Cup at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Palomar Racing would enter the #24 BMW E36 into E2 with the #25 BMW E36 entered in E1. They entered the event as E2 points leaders with the E1 entry aimed at its own class victory.
The #24 driver team was Sonny Watanasirisuk, Lucas Weisenberg, and Matt Million to finish. The #25 team would be run as Matt Million, Ryan Keeley, and Sonny Watanasirisuk to finish. A late alteration in driver lineups meant Matt and Sonny would be pulling ‘double duty’.
Million qualified the #24 on class pole in E2 from 6 entries, while Keeley qualified the #25 in 5th from 8 entries in E1. Million swapped over to start the #25 for the opening two stints while Watanasirisuk started in the #24.
Million would remain in the car for three hours as numerous factors helped increase the stint lengths. The #25 was forced to pit at the green flag for a tire pressure issue and rejoined a lap down. In the midst of regaining the lap, a mechanical black was called on #25 for an apparent hood issue. Again, as Million was tasked to regain his laps by driving a strong pace, he was mechanical black flagged for a noise-related issue. The team worked swiftly to retrofit a quieter exhaust suppressant during the first fuel stop, but Million had already lost about 4 laps to the leader. Thankfully, the string of bad luck ended for #25 and the second fuel stint saw Million run a strong pace gaining one lap back on the leader. In the process, Million set the best race lap of E1 with a 1:38:5.
Ryan Keeley entered the car near the halfway mark and delivered two consistent stints thereafter. Sonny Watanasirisuk took the car to the finish for the final hour. While the #61 EVOQ Motorsport E36 entry remained three laps ahead, the #25 entered a battle with the #712 Jirafa E36 entry for the podium position. A late incident for #37 EDGE E36 entry meant that the #25 would settle into 3rd and eventually take the checkered flag.
For the #24, the race was a much smoother story. Watanasirisuk ran within the top three for his opening two stints which remained drama-free. Mechanical issues with both the #72 Moorewood E46 and #615 Mashore E46 entries in the opening three hours helped the #24 ensure a healthy lead over its nearest competition in E2. Palomar Racing performed stellar pit stops throughout the race as well as clean driver swaps between Watanasirisuk, Weisenberg, and Million. This eventually opened their lead to over three laps ahead of the #80 SRC and #28 HQ Autosport entries. Weisenberg performed another clean two stints and handed off to Million for the final hour.
Spotting the #25 ahead with thirty minutes remaining, Million and team decided to stage a side-by-side photo finish with both cars. They remained together until 5pm when they crossed the line to win the E2 class and finished 3rd in the E1 class.
The E2 victory keeps Palomar Racing well ahead in the championship finale at Buttonwillow in October. While Million and Watanasirisuk have won previously for the team, it is Weisenberg’s first endurance win for Palomar Racing. As for the E1 entry, it is unclear if the team will continue with the car in this class or move the entry to a second E2 car in preparation for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in December.
Million’s next race will be at Buttonwillow Raceway for NASA SoCal ST5 and NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship on October 8-9th. Priority will be on Round 6 of 6 in the NASA WERC season, a 4.5 hour race into the darkness. Palomar Racing enters the event with a healthy lead in E2 and hopes to secure their first title there.
Look for Matt Million’s ‘September Update’ to be published by the end of this month. Visit ‘Photos’ to view more pictures from the event.