Johnson, Oliveira, Rzadzinski and Toppe gained valuable knowledge and experience in Rounds Eight, Nine and Ten
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – The three Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course this past weekend (August 3-4) ultimately was a learning affair for the talented JDC MotorSports squad. Never able to find the pace or results desired during Rounds Eight, Nine and Ten, Michael Johnson, Arthur Oliveira, Stefan Rzadzinski, and Clark Toppe never stopped trying to improve, gaining valuable knowledge and experience. The Minnesota-based team now turns its attention to California, and a rebound effort in September.
When the 2013 USF2000 Championship calendar was first announced, it was quickly apparent that the August tripleheader at Mid-Ohio may provide one of the biggest challenges. Three races on what is widely regarded as one of the premier technical tracks in North America meant everything needs to go according to plan. Unfortunately, that proved to be not the case for JDC MotorSports and its skilled foursome of Johnson, Oliveira, Rzadzinski and Toppe. Despite spending the opening four event test and practice sessions fine tuning their racing steeds, they were unable to find the pace desired.
Continually working with the highly-regarded JDC crew, that trend continued in the lone qualifying run, with all four drivers posting unrepresentative times.
Remaining upbeat and focused on moving forward come race time, mother nature added another obstacle in Round Eight via very slick wet conditions on Saturday morning. What followed was a race that featured just three laps of green flag racing, and the majority of the field going off-course at some point. Rzadzinski ultimately led the way in his No. 93 CanTorque/Christenson Developments/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports racer, crossing the line in 14th, while Oliveira, Johnson and Toppe took the checkered flag in formation in 18th through 20th.
Returning to the cockpits a few hours later for race two of the triple bill, the USF2000 drivers got the green flag under sunny skies. Making the most of the improved conditions, the JDC contingent showcased their racecraft skills, working their way forward in the 20-lap affair. Rzadzinski was again the first to the line in 13th, with Johnson and Oliveira next in 17th and 20th, advancing from 21st and 25th on the grid respectively. Toppe was poised to make up multiple positions as well in the No.19 Toppe Motorsports/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports, but damage required a pitstop for repairs, and a subsequent 22nd-place result.
The IZOD IndyCar Series tripleheader event concluded on Sunday morning with Round 10. The start proved to be the decisive moment, as an incident among the front-runners triggered a 11-car accident. While Rzadzinski, Toppe and Oliveira all managed to avoid the spinning cars and debris, Johnson was not as fortunate, with the No. 54 Universal Coating/SpeediCath/FlatOutNation.com/Red Line Oil/Bell Racing/Alpinestars/JDC MotorSports entry coming to a stop prior to the first turn. When the action resumed following the track being cleared, the remaining JDC trio set about making the most of any opportunity to advance up the scoring charts. In the end, Rzadzinski, Toppe, and Oliveira took the checkered flag in unison via 11th, 12th, and 13th place respectively.
"This weekend at Mid-Ohio was a little rough," commented Johnson. "We were looking for speed all weekend. It was starting to come together nicely towards the end. Unfortunately I was caught up in the Lap One crash in the last race. I'll learn from the weekend, and move on to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in a month ready to redeem myself!"
"We made a lot of progress this weekend," added Toppe. "Even though we struggled a bit, we just need to take all that we learned to the next race weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Thanks to JDC MotorSports for the constant improvement of the car and support. Also, thanks to Phil Lombardi and Jonaton Jorge of JJRD for helping me push my limits in the car."
"All in all it was a very tough weekend for us," said Rzadzinski. "I'm happy to come out unscathed without any damage, and I'm hoping we can take some big strides forward in the final two rounds."
"While we didn't get the results desired this weekend at Mid-Ohio, it was extremely important to gain the knowledge of this marquee circuit," stated Oliveira. "We worked hard on improving the car setup and my development as a driver. I believe this experience will prove valuable at the next event at Laguna Seca."
The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda campaign continues for JDC MotorSports on September 7-8, when the series travels to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for Rounds 11 and 12.The Minnesota-based squad travels to California currently ninth in the team points.
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from RedLineOil.com.
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ www.jdcmotorsport.com. For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075.
Learn more about Michael Johnson at MichaelJohnsonRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ Racer54isCool and Facebook @ Michael Johnson Racing Videos also available on YouTube @ Michael Johnson Racing.
Learn more about Arthur Oliveira at ArthurOliveiraRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ A_Oliveira02 and Facebook @ Arthur Oliveira Videos also available on YouTube @ Arthur Oliveira.
Learn more about Stefan Rzadzinski at RzadRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ RzadRacing and Facebook @ Stefan Rzadzinski Videos also available on YouTube @ Stefan Rzadzinski.
Learn more about Clark Toppe at ClarkToppeRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ ClarkToppe and Facebook @ Clark Toppe Racing Videos also available on YouTube @ Clark Toppe.
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About JDC MotorSports:
Involved in formula car racing since its inception in 1994, JDC MotorSports has established itself as one of the leading junior open-wheel teams in North America. Initially making its mark in the F2000 class of club racing competition, JDC MotorSports was soon a team worth watching in the pro ranks. Competing in the Formula Ford 2000 Zetec Championship, the team not only won races, but also helped develop multiple young drivers. In 2005, JDC MotorSports expanded its efforts, entering the Star Mazda Championship. Quickly becoming one of the top teams in the series, JDC captured both the driver and team titles in 2007, as well as Rookie of the Year honors, with Dane Cameron scoring a series-high three wins. In 2008, JDC MotorSports was the runner-up in the Star Mazda Championship and finished fourth in its inaugural season of F2000 Championship Series competition. The Minnesota-based team won the Star Mazda Championship title with Rookie of the Year Adam Christodoulou, and the F2000 Championship Series title with Chris Miller in 2009. The following year, JDC continued its winning ways, earning the Rookie of the Year award in the Star Mazda Championship with Connor De Phillippi, and scoring a non-points win in the USF2000 National Championship. In 2011, the Minneapolis-based squad captured its third Star Mazda Championship title with Tristan Vautier, scored a win in the USF2000 National Championship, and made its Prototype Lites Championship debut, earning five podium finishes. JDC MotorSports added to its Star Mazda Championship win tally, USF2000 Championship podium total, and finished as the Prototype Lites Championship runner-up in 2012.