WATKINS GLEN, NY (Sunday, June 25, 2023) — It was a rollercoaster day at Watkins Glen International for the Paul Miller Racing team—who overcame an electrical fault and a three lap deficit to the field to score a stellar second place.
Starting fourth in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD field aboard the No. 1 Quartz Engine Oil-backed BMW M4 GT3, Madison Snow held position through the first pit stop, handing over to Bryan Sellers just before the electrical failure happened.
Sellers would leave the pit lane and soon realize he was unable to communicate with the team as well as not having the ability to change certain functions on the car. Bringing the car immediately back in, the team spent three laps finding the source of the fault, and utilizing the BMW system to override the failure.
From there, it was down to Sellers, Snow, Corey Lewis, and the entire Paul Miller Racing team to overcome the lost laps and positions and put themselves back in contention for a good result in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
Through impeccable driving by Lewis, great pits stop by the crew, and a well-timed yellow flag, Sellers was able to emerge in 16th position, but once again on the lead lap, with approximately two hours to spare.
Sellers would go on a charge, passing up to fourth position in just half an hour and handing the car over to Snow in third place to take to the finish.
In the final hour of the race, Snow balanced speed and saving fuel to eclipse the car ahead and bring home a well-fought second place for the team after the six-hour enduro.
“What can I even say? Yet again, the crew at Paul Miller Racing has performed flawlessly and have given us a car that we could race better than any other race we’ve had this entire season,” Paul Miller Racing team manager, Mitchell Simmons, said.
“We had an electrical failure early in the race that put us several laps down, but the BMW system allowed us to override it to finish the race. From there, it was up to us to execute. The drivers never put a wheel wrong. We were able to overcome that 3 lap deficit by putting ourselves in a position to capitalize on yellows when they came out. We decided to go off strategy mid race and it paid huge dividends.
“I’m just eternally proud of the entire team and drivers and everyone at Paul Miller Racing.”
The second place finish allows the Paul Miller Racing team to extend their championship lead to 104 points as we approach the halfway point of the season.
Madison Snow
“Long day for us! To tell you the truth, sitting on the timing stand, seeing the car in pit lane, and watching everyone drive by—I really thought our day was over. But, that shows you how strong the team is that we didn’t do that. We wanted to stay out there and figure out what the issue was and finish the race. It took us a bit to figure it out and get it fixed, but we did it and we kept fighting all day. It’s super easy to give up in those times, but this team didn’t and that’s what got us a second place finish.
“It was a different strategy than we’re used to to make up laps, so we had to think outside the box. It was difficult, but we all came together and the car was really good and that made it possible for us. In the end, we were in last with two hours left, we knew we had the time to work our way up, but it was going to be a hard battle. Bryan was the one that definitely did that today—he was the one that once we were on the lead lap got us in the position to finish on the podium and then I just had to finish it off.”
Bryan Sellers
“It’s crazy! Days like today are the days that keep you alive in the championship. It looked like we were going to take a pretty big hit on the points there but with a little bit of luck with the yellows, a good car, good strategy, and good pit stops, we were able to claw our way back up into it. You sit and look at where we were sitting with two hours left to where we ended and that feels pretty good. The only way you can do that is if you have everybody working together. Not one person can make that difference—it takes the whole team. I’m super happy”
Corey Lewis
“I’m happy! Things are great! Massive, massive team effort from the start of the race to come clawing back from three laps down, that took so much teamwork. The guys were flawless with diagnosing the issue, fixing it, and getting us right back out there to fight. The car was great, the guys on the box gave us a great race car to give us the opportunity to race our way to second place. To be back up on the podium with these guys again is very very special. It helps with the championship too! Overall just an amazing day. Helluva comeback for the team. And I’m just happy to be back on the podium wit
