NASA ST5

Race Report: Million Becomes 2022 NASA ST5 National Champion

Race Report: Million Becomes 2022 NASA ST5 National Champion

Monterey, CA | September 15-18th, 2022

In his third straight race weekend of September, Million was ready for the first of two major events on his 2022 calendar; the NASA Championships at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Palomar Racing prepared for their first national championship weekend in a big way. After a successful weekend in the US Touring Car Championship, the team stayed at the circuit and prepared the #24 BMW E36 for Matt Million to contest ST5 (Super Touring 5) and the #25 BMW E36 for Nik Romano to compete for ST4 honors.

The NASA Championships returned to the West Coast for the first time since 2017, the same event that Million competed in his last NASA Championships when he took 3rd in Spec Miata.

Starting on Thursday, Million and team started off on the right foot. Testing was successful, ultimately ending the day with minor setup changes and a reliable car.

Friday was qualifying day. Million put in the best lap of morning warm-up to set him 1st on the grid of 5 entries for qualifying session one. The series and competitors suffered paperwork complications resulting in 4 of the 5 entries being unable to set their official qualifying time in the first session. This forced Million to run the first session, set his spot for the second qualifier, and go for his best lap in that session. He succeeded; a lap of 1:39:7 put him on pole by multiple tenths over the #8 Honda S2000 of Tommy Lo and #72x BMW E46 of Larry Moore.

Saturday was the qualifying race for each race group in attendance. At around 1pm, the ST5 class was on track for their 35-minute race. They would be on track together with Spec Z, Legends, Honda Challenge 2 & 4, and Super Touring 6. Million delivered a strong jump on the 5-car class and fought off an early challenge from the #8 entry. The race ran entirely green and developed into a short endurance race with ST5 making their way through the numerous slower classes beginning at around lap four. Million closed the race with a 25-second lead over 2nd, a gap which expanded 20 seconds in traffic. “It really did feel like an endurance race at a sprint pace! Very cool to deliver the Saturday win for Palomar Racing and can’t say enough about the consistency we’ve shown. Pulling away and clicking off laps through traffic at a 90% pace was truly a lot of fun. Looking forward to the championship race tomorrow!” Million set the fastest class race lap of a 1:39:6.

On Sunday, rain was on the forecast throughout the day. The team prepared by sourcing a set of Hoosier rain tires however they would not get used. At the time of the ST5 championship race, the track was dry and only light sprinkles were expected. Million once again led the 5-car ST5 grid from pole, set a rapid pace to build about a 5-second gap, and found a rhythm. The 45-minute length of the race meant conservation of tires, the car, and energy was important. As the lead gradually extended and Million found himself passing traffic, a full-course yellow was displayed for a stricken car. The restart occurred with about 15 minutes remaining. With the tires now past their peak, Million could do little to defend against the Legends class vehicles and fell to 2nd overall with a few second gap ahead of the #72 BMW E46 of Moore. Eventually, the leading two Legends class cars passed both leading ST5 entries. Million was quicker in some parts of the track, but would become held up from the Corkscrew to start finish. This allowed Moore to maintain a very close gap and built an exciting finish. Though, Million remained disciplined and found a compromised pace to stay behind the quick out-of-class cars and stay ahead of the #72. Million crossed the line to become 2022 NASA ST5 National Champion, a first national championship for himself and Palomar Racing. Million set the fastest race lap of a 1:40:2.

It was an extraordinary occasion. Having set their sights on this goal since last December, Palomar Racing had achieved a major milestone with Million. The podium celebrations ensued with Million atop the podium in between both Magic Develop BMW E46 drivers of #72 Larry Moore and #73 Tony Domenici. The Magic Developed team had pushed Palomar Racing to be on their A-game for the recent months. A well admired team, Million and his crew share a lot of respect for Magic Developed and the competition they brought.

Matt Million wants to thank the entire Palomar Racing team and their partners for the utmost commitment to himself this season. He dedicates this championship to team personnel Andy, Nik, Blair, Kevin, Mike, David, Dawson, Manny, Sonny, Ryan, and others who have helped along the way. This achievement would not be possible without the backing of Palomar Solar and Roofing.

The ‘Palomar Racing 2022 Challenge’ is supported by BimmerWorld, Apex Race Parts, Red Line Synthetic Oil, PFC Brakes, Rugged Radios, AGA Tools, FastSideways, Swift Springs, Motion Control Suspension, KinematicSpeed, Enphase Energy, Toyo Tires, StopTech, Panasonic Solar US, and Frozen Rotors.

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.

Race Report: Two-Car Development at NASA Sonoma with Palomar Racing

Race Report: Two-Car Development at Sonoma NASA NorCal with Palomar Racing

Sonoma, CA | June 25-26th, 2022

The key word to describe the team’s first NASA NorCal event at Sonoma Raceway: learning!

Two weeks following their NASA WERC and NASA SoCal ST5 wins at Auto Club Speedway, Palomar Racing decided to enter this event as a data gathering exercise in multiple areas.

The first objective was completing the weekend with the freshly built #24 BMW E36 racing in Super Touring 4 (ST4). We succeeded by running the car in every session Friday through Sunday without issue. Chassis development was a key priority and we collectively made big strides toward a more consistent, stable, fast platform. Though, the car isn’t yet able to fight at the front in ST4 and will require more work.

The second objective was running the team’s established #25 BMW E36 in Super Touring 5 (ST5) in order to build the setup notebook and assess Northern California’s impressive competition. This was ultimately successful.

Million did the majority of driving and development in the #24 on Friday and raced it on Saturday in ST4. Outclassed by the strong ST4 cars in the region, Million was able to bring back a midpack result and plenty of notes on major changes. On Sunday, he and teammate Sonny Watanasirisuk swapped cars. Sunday saw Million set the weekend’s best ST5 lap and a qualifying race win while the main race resulted in a 3rd place.

Million’s next event with Palomar Racing will be Round 4 of the NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship at Utah Motorsports Campus from July 29th to August 1st. The team’s #25 will continue its hunt for an E2 class championship with the #24 contending for the E1 class win. The ‘NASA Utah 6 Hour’ will be the priority with both #24 ST4 and #25 ST5 E36’s expected for the sprint races as well.

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. Visit ‘Photos’ to view more pictures from the event.

Double NASA ST5 Wins & NASA WERC Victory for Million at Fontana

Double NASA ST5 Wins & NASA WERC Victory for Palomar Racing’s Matt Million at Fontana in June

Fontana, CA | June 11-12th, 2022

Matt Million swept the weekend in Super Touring 5 (ST5) during the Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2022 NASA SoCal ST5 Championship at Auto Club Speedway. Million piloted the Palomar Racing #25 BMW E36 during both the Saturday and Sunday races in the 6-car ST5 field. This was the 7th and 8th win of the season between Million and teammate Romano in 12 rounds. Million and Palomar Racing now hold the ST5 track record at a 1:54:22.

On Saturday evening, the Palomar Racing squad also won the 6-car E2 class in Round 3 of NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship. Nik Romano took the opening stint of the 4-hour race in the #25 BMW E36 with Sonny Watanasirisuk taking the middle stint. Million closed the final stint to bring the team their third consecutive E2 win of the season. Million also set the best E2 lap of the race at a 1:54:9. The team finished approximately one lap ahead of second place HQ Autosport’s #28 BMW 128i. Palomar Racing finished 5th of 28 overall.

Million’s next event with the team will be June 25-26th at Sonoma Raceway for a NASA NorCal debut in Super Touring 4 (ST4) with the team’s new #24 BMW E36.

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. Visit ‘Photos’ to view more pictures from the event.

Million Wins NASA SoCal ST5 Rd.10 at Willow Springs

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

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.

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

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.

Announcement: Million Joins Palomar Racing for NASA WERC & ST5 Championships

SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT: MATT Million Joins Palomar Racing for NASA WERC E2 & ST5 Championships

Escondido, CA - January 2022

Matt Million will join Palomar Racing as a driver in their NASA ST5/E2 program which will see full-season competition in both NASA Western Endurance Racing Championship’s (WERC) E2 category and the NASA SoCal Super Touring 5 (ST5) series.

#25 Palomar Racing BMW E36 ST5/E2

The #25 BMW E36 we will run is being developed to the combined ST5/E2 ruleset. Sharing sprint and endurance driver duties with me is Nik Romano and Nico DeCuzzi. Palomar Racing is owned and operated by Andy Anderson, Mike Anderson, and Kevin Desirello with our crew chief being Blair Geil. The team is located in Escondido, California and is primarily supported by Palomar Solar and Roofing. This is Palomar Racing’s first championship outside vintage racing in VARA, SVRA, Rolex Reunion, CSRG, etc.

In addition to the NASA WERC and E2 campaigns will be entry into the 2022 NASA National Championships at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in September. The team is currently developing a second, identically prepared #24 BMW E36 with hopes to enter two cars in the ST5 championship events and possibly in Monday’s WERC 6.5 hour event. The crowning endurance event of our year will be the 2022 NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill which takes place at Thunderhill Raceway each December. All of the year’s lessons learned will be utilized and applied here!

To give context on how it came together; serendipity, timing, and fitment! It was during last October’s NASA WERC Buttonwillow 3 Hour when I met these gentlemen. Through mutual friend and crew chief Blair connecting us, they became the pit crew for GOneppo Racing in the race Peter Oneppo and I took 1st and secured our 2021 NASA WERC E2 championship. Unaware to me at the time, they were putting together a serious effort for next season and I happened to leave the right impression. Nik Romano, friend and teammate this season, had been working with them to put a 2022 ST5/E2 program in place and reached out to me about the opportunity.

This is my first opportunity as a truly ‘sponsored’ driver and it definitely raises the personal importance, along with yet another realization that my racing career journey is headed in an encouraging direction. It’s also special to represent a significant local business this season with the team’s headquarters located only a few miles away!

Our 2022 mission is a natural fit and progression for both my racing career and this awesome, motivated small team. I’m honored to contribute my abilities to Palomar Racing’s campaign. Thank you to Andy and Nik especially for entrusting me with the task of racing for you in 2022.

Quote from Matt Million

“To be included in Palomar Racing’s ambitious 2022 mission is an absolute privilege and I’ve immensely excited to get a season started. Our introduction was in the final NASA WERC round in last October. They helped conduct the pit stop that won GOneppo Racing and I the championship. As serendipity had it, they saw qualities in my performance they wanted in their 2022 mission and offered me the drive. I’m ready to use my passion and experience to contributing the best possible performances beginning at Willow Springs in February!

Quote from Andy Anderson

Coming soon….

You can follow Matt and Palomar Racing at the season-opening NASA Western Endurance Championship weekend at Willow Springs International Raceway from February 11-13th. The 3.5-hour race begins at 4:10 PM on Saturday, February 12th. Download the racehero.io App for live-timing and follow Matt Million and Palomar Racing’s social links to keep updated!