BOWLING GREEN, KY - Matt Million takes home the first win of the new Spec MX-5 Challenge Series Central at NCM Motorsports Park on Saturday, along with a second place finish on Sunday.
"It's been a great start to the weekend" said Million during dry Friday testing, "This circuit is easily the most flowing and technical I've ever driven, it's so rewarding when you can nail a section right. These MX-5 Cup cars are awesome, the amount of speed you can carry into corner (compared to a Spec Miata) is outstanding! These Yokohama's have endless grip and bring out the best in the car!"
Race day on Saturday saw the skies darken with rain, and it would continue that way without stop. Million qualified second in the session as it drizzled with rain. "It wasn't an ideal qualifying, I would have benefited from another lap with less traffic, but it means I'll work on getting a fast lap in earlier next time!" The race saw the drizzle turn into a small storm, and Million ran clean and smooth in second place before the wet surface caused the leader to make a mistake ahead, allowing Million to capitalize and take the lead. "As soon as I got ahead, I focused on being collected and smart. Running at the limit in the rain is daunting especially having never done it before, and now I find myself leading!" Million went on to win unopposed, "It's a truly great feeling, experiencing all your work and preparations get rewarded so early, and especially to do it in the rain was awesome. I can't get myself too caught up in this moment though, I have to race hard tomorrow and continue a championship caliber performance!"
Sunday brought with it new challenges, with the biggest being the weather; dry! Million qualified second and finished second, but not without a race-long three way battle for the lead with all three competitors leading at some point. Million took an early lead after a clean pass into T1, and held it before a close battle saw a mistake between the two leaders put third place into the lead late on. Battling continued until the checkered fell, and Million was second. "It was such a close and frantic race, very different from Spec Miata racing. Intense and fast paced in small packs, you really can't make any mistakes if you want to win!"
"Overall, the first weekend turned out extremely positive and it was a great experience, the Spec MX-5 / Winding Road Racing team is exceptionally professional and I look forward to strengthening our relationship into the next round in Austin and throughout the season!"
As said in The Art of Racing in the Rain, "That in which you manifest is before you"