Million Wins NASA SoCal ST5 Rd.10 at Willow Springs

Million, Palomar Racing Win NASA SoCal ST5 Rd.10 at Willow Springs

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Rosamond, CA | May 22nd, 2022

Palomar Racing driver Matt Million took the qualifying race and main race win in the Super Touring 5 (ST5) category during the Round 10 of the 2022 NASA SoCal ST5 Championship at Willow Springs. The 30-minute race ran on Sunday, May 22nd while a 20-minute qualifying race preceded in the morning. Million’s teammate Nik Romano took a commanding ST5 win as well in the #25 BMW E36 during the Saturday race one day prior. This was the 6th win of the season between Million and Romano in 10 rounds.

Million started the Sunday qualifying race on ST5 pole from six entries courtesy of Romano’s Saturday win. The 20-minute race was frantic as the ST5 class started directly behind the large ST4 field, with Million and others battling through the ST4 competitors. Million quickly regained his lead after a brief stint in second and built up a gap. A full-course yellow was deployed for a stalled car and a busy restart ensued. Million maintained the lead and would start pole for the main race

The 30-minute main race took place at 4:00pm local with high winds. Million took an early lead and rapidly passed 4-5 ST4 class cars ahead. Soon, a small electrical malfunction with the ABS unit caused the pace to temporary drop and Million fell to second. After remedying the issue, Million regained ABS performance and quickly regained the ST5 lead. Swift moves in passing two more ST4 cars built the gap Million needed to bring home the win.

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Million’s next event with the team will be June 11-12th at Auto Club Speedway for the next rounds of NASA SoCal ST5 as well as the 3rd round of NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship. The 4-hour endurance race is scheduled for the evening of June 11th.

The ‘Palomar Racing E2/ST5 Challenge’ would not be possible without the following partners; Palomar Solar, Swift Springs, Motion Control Suspension, Toyo Tires, BimmerWorld, ApexRaceParts.com, FastSideways, Hawk Performance, Frozen Rotors, Enphase, and others.

Look for Matt Million’s ‘June Update’ to be published soon.

Million Wins NASA SoCal ST5 Rd.7 at Buttonwillow, New Track Record

Million, Palomar Racing Win NASA ST5 at Buttonwillow

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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!”

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“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.