Heat, Battles, and BMWs: Super Touring 5 Sizzles at Sebring Spring Fling

Unseasonably high temperatures and intense on-track action defined the Super Touring 5 (ST5) competition during the NASA Florida Region’s Spring Fling event at Sebring International Raceway, April 5-6, 2025. Across four races, drivers battled not only each other but also soaring heat that tested cars, tires, and personal endurance on the notoriously bumpy circuit.

The weekend saw a robust ST5 field, numbering around 11 entries, highlighted by a strong contingent of six BMW E90 models, a platform gaining popularity in South Florida. They faced challenges from seasoned competitors and determined rookies. The mix of experience levels and machinery, combined with the demanding track and weather, set the stage for a great weekend of racing.

Qualifying and Race Prep

Carlos Mendez, piloting his No. 114 BMW 330i, secured the ST5 pole position for the weekend opener. Preparation varied across the paddock; veteran Scott McKay undertook significant work readying his newly acquired No. 92 BMW 330i, while Mendez and fellow BMW driver Curtis Buxton focused on routine checks for their proven machines. “Our stuff is we’ve been racing these cars for a couple years now and they’re pretty reliable,” Mendez said. “As far as prep goes is just kind of do a bolt check and make sure you have enough brake pad.”

Saturday Race Action:  Buxton Sweeps

Saturday’s Race 1 saw Buxton in the No. 210 BMW 328i take the win. Scott McKay (No. 92) secured second place, finishing 1.399 seconds behind Buxton in his debut weekend with the new car, while pole-sitter Carlos Mendez (No. 114) came home third.

The heat intensified for Saturday’s 45-minute feature race, making tire and fuel management paramount. Drivers debated strategies, with some like Buxton favoring an early push while others focused on conservation. “The main thing that we had to do was manage tires,” Mendez explained. “You got to take it easy in the beginning of the race and just kind of take care of them so that they’re still there for you at the end.”

Buxton again proved a master of the conditions, securing his second victory. Aaron Turek finished second in the No. 113 BMW 330ci. Drama struck Mendez, who led late but agonizingly ran out of fuel with the white flag in sight. “I was like, ‘Yes, last lap. I’m in the lead. I’m going to win this one. This is the contingency race. I’m going to get the new wrestler belt that we have’ and then I ran out of gas,” Mendez recounted. McKay’s race also ended early after a valiant charge from the back of the field – necessitated by an alternator failure between races and a missed grid call – culminated in a coolant hose failure and a spin. This allowed Rookie Roberto Moreno in his No. 29 BMW 325i to bring home third, gaining valuable experience.

Sunday Race Action: Buxton and Mendez Split Wins

Sunday brought even higher temperatures, pushing into the low 90s for the day’s two races. The first, another 45-minute contest, saw Buxton complete his hat trick, expertly managing his pace to hold off Turek by just over seven seconds. Mendez recovered from Saturday’s disappointment to claim third. One of the race highlights was the close battle between Moreno and Trevor Bhawanidin (No. 3 BMW 328i). Moreno led until the final lap when, echoing Mendez’s earlier misfortune, he ran out of fuel, allowing Bhawanidin past. Despite the result, Moreno valued the experience. “That battle on track was probably the highlight of the weekend,” Moreno shared. Managing the heat itself was a major focus for the rookie. “For me it was learning to manage my temperature in the car. Getting used to that and how much that affects concentration was the biggest thing for me,” Moreno shared.

The weekend concluded with a final 30-minute sprint race, delivering the closest finish. After chasing Buxton all weekend, Mendez finally turned the tables. The two BMW rivals engaged in a thrilling battle, running side-by-side in the closing laps. Mendez edged Buxton at the line by a mere 0.231 seconds to take the victory. “The last two laps we basically went around the track door to door,” Mendez said. “But once you are on the last lap, that’s when the real race starts. And that was the fun part.” Turek secured his third podium of the weekend on the third step.

From the Paddock

Despite the intense heat and on-track rivalries, the ST5 paddock, particularly the BMW group, always have as much fun in the paddock as they do on the track. Drivers parked together, shared parts, offered help, and enjoyed the social aspect of the event. “I think that’s really the key to racing is, hanging out with your buddies, but actually in the same proximity,” McKay commented. “It’s fun that way and it’s what keeps people coming back.”

Next up

While the NASA Florida schedule continues on for a crossover event with NASA Gulf South at NOLA Motorsports Park in May, many of the BMW competitors plan to travel to Virginia International Raceway for NASA’s Hyperfest event. For drivers like Daniel Wellins, the intense Florida heat signals a time to regroup. “Come summer I kind of step back a little bit. We kind of take a break, go over the cars, and that’s our downtime,” Wellins said. After a sizzling weekend at Sebring, a break is well-earned. Good luck to all those traveling to NOLA and VIR and we look forward to another recap later this season!