Snow: BMW Factory Driver Role “Opens Up Doors”

Madison Snow described his new role as a BMW factory driver as a “perfect opportunity” as it will allow him to remain aligned to his longtime IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship team Paul Miller Racing.

Snow was recently confirmed as the newest addition to BMW’s 22-man roster of factory drivers, joining Bill Auberlen, Neil Verhagen, Robby Foley and Connor De Phillippi as American factory aces contracted to the Munich manufacturer.

The 28-year-old has competed in BMW machinery since 2022, when Paul Miller switched from running Lamborghini’s GT3 offering to the BMW M4 GT3.

Snow is entering his eighth season racing for the Georgia-based outfit, having first joined in 2016 and now staying with the team as it steps up to GTD Pro for the first time.

“[BMW] came to me and had interest and so then we just started talking and it worked out,” Snow told Sportscar365.

“There was no prior planning from either side or any of that stuff but I think it’s fortunate that I was with Paul Miller Racing. We had a great [season] last year, we were in a BMW. All that made it happen.”

Snow said the continuation of his relationship was Paul Miller was a key condition for joining the roster, describing the team as a “family.”

“I definitely made it clear that I wanted to stay with Paul Miller Racing,” he said

“Who knows what happens down the road but BMW was super easy with that, that’s where they wanted to put me anyway. I don’t want to up and leave a family that I had been with.

“I’ve been happy with where I’ve been at with Paul Miller Racing. I’ve been with them since 2016 and it’s not a team that I want to leave, but BMW came and I knew that I would still be able to be with Paul Miller Racing, so that was a perfect opportunity.

“For sure it’s great to have a factory approach you with some acknowledgement. As far as last year goes, I would hope that a factory doesn’t look at one year, that they’re looking at lot more [about] what got you to that point.

“I think that’s why they approached me. Yes, last year was great, but I think it’s all the years before that where we’ve been able to be consistent.”

Snow indicated that his current program will remain limited to the full WeatherTech Championship campaign with Paul Miller, but admitted that his new role “opens up doors” which could allow his program to expand to other races and championships as well.

“I think if they start needing drivers or have endurance races where you need a third or a fourth driver then I’m on the list of somebody that could go help out for a race,” he said.

When asked there are any major endurance races that on his list that he would like to do, Snow replied: “nothing on my mind.”

Snow also said he does not feel any pressure or expectations joining the Munich manufacturer’s pool of works drivers, although he expressed a hope that he will be able to take the next step in his own development with BMW’s help.

“I think I’ll perform the best that I can, do what I can do,” he said.

“Obviously it was what I’ve been able to have done, met the BMW criteria and I’m sure I want to get better. I’m sure they want me to improve and get better.

“So I think being able to be around those guys hopefully just makes it easier to have good people be around to help.

“You should have more resources available to you especially if you’re going to drive with those people, look at data, stuff like that.”