Alberico, Hargrove, and Johnson all earn top-10s at squad's home track
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – The inaugural Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda tripleheader proved to be a successful affair for JDC MotorSports, with three different drivers scoring at least a top-10 over the weekend (August 17-18) at Road America. The four-car contingent made the most of home track advantage, as Neil Alberico captured two top-fives and a top-six, and was joined in the top-10 by rookie returnee Scott Hargrove twice and fellow rookie standout Michael Johnson once. Class veteran Chris Miller just missed the top-10 on more than one occasion, in what was a valuable points effort by the Minnesota-based team.
For JDC MotorSports one track it is always looking forward to on the race calendar is Road America, and in 2012 it got a rare opportunity, as the USF2000 Championship elected to contest its first-ever three-race event at the squad's home track. Given the multiple championship-winning junior formula car outfit had enjoyed good success at the Wisconsin road course in the past, including wins in the F2000 ranks, everyone under the JDC awning was ready and excited to get on-course.
As is the case for every USF2000 event, JDC MotorSports focused on car and driver development in the opening two test sessions, as well as the lone practice run of the tripleheader at Road America. That being said, the talented JDC racers did not waste any time making their presence known. Miller got the ball rolling by placing the No. 85 Miller Racing/Stockholm Motorsports Park/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports racer fifth on the opening speedcharts. Alberico and Johnson, who is paralyzed from the chest down following a motorcycle racing accident eight years ago, followed suit with the sixth and seventh best times in the second test run. Hargrove kept the momentum going prior to qualifying, ending practice P4 in his No. 38 Analytic Systems/Race Energy/Skip Barber Racing School/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry.
The lone timed qualifying session, which set the grid for Round Eight, as expected witnessed lots of strategy and shuffling of positions on the timing monitor. With drafting down the long Road America straights key to a fast lap, positioning and cooperation proved important. Things ultimately worked out for the No. 19 Kartel Motorsports/Bondurant School/RaceLite Protection/ Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports car, with Alberico earning the fifth quickest time. Things did not go according to plan though for Miller, Johnson, and Hargrove, as the trio ended the outing in 14th, 15th, and 20th respectively.
When the four-car JDC contingent and the rest of the talented USF2000 field rolled back on-track one day later, the focus was now on using the multiple passing zones around the 4-mile road course to move forward. As expected, the 11-lap affair, which featured nine laps of green flag racing, witnessed plenty of overtaking and exciting wheel-to-wheel action. Alberico in the end crossed the line in the same place he started, taking home a well deserved top-five finish. Hargrove was the next JDC racer to the checkered flag, with an impressive charge forward securing the Canadian an eighth place result. Johnson just missed piloting the No. 54 Universal Coating/Alpinestars/Coloplast/FlatOutNation.com/Red Line Oil/Movement Arts Motorsports Marketing/JDC MotorSports car to a top-10 finish, breaking the stripe in 11th. Miller's outing ended prematurely, five laps prior to the flag waving.
After a break to rehydrate, refuel, and debrief, as well as make any changes to the cars, it was time for a rare second race on the day. With each racer's best lap from race one setting the grid for Round Nine, the green flag waved with Johnson in sixth, Alberico in seventh, Hargrove in 10th, and Miller in 19th. For Johnson, this unfortunately proved to be the highlight of his race, as within a few corners his chase for top honors was over. In the JDC pit box, however, things remained upbeat, as Alberico and Miller showcased their talents by working their way forward. When the all green 12-lap race ended, Alberico had secured another top-five finish, and Miller had charged up to 11th, just missing a top-10. Hargrove, involved a spirited dice from start to finish, came home in 13th.
One day later, the first-ever USF2000 Championship tripleheader concluded with Round 10 in Wisconsin. In a repeat of the previous affair, the grid was set by each driver's fast lap in the race prior, placing Alberico sixth, Miller 10th, Hargrove 12th, and Johnson 29th on the grid. While the 12-lap race featured lots of action and entertainment, Johnson proved to be one of the drivers to watch. The JDC racer earned the Tilton Hard Charger award with a stunning drive from last to 10th, his first series top-10. Alberico and Hargrove added to excitement in the JDC camp by making it three drivers from the Minnesota squad in the top-10, with finishes of sixth and ninth respectively. Miller yet again battled difficulties, ending the race on lap one with a damaged rear wing and diffuser after contact from behind.
The JDC MotorSports chase for victories in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda resumes on September 1-2, with the penultimate event of the 2012 season on the streets of Baltimore. JDC travels to Rounds 11 and 12 in Maryland currently sitting fifth in the team standings.
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from www.RedLineOil.com
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ www.jdcmotorsports.com For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075.
Learn more about Neil Alberico at neilalberico.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ NeilAlberico and his Facebook page @ Neil-Alberico-Racing
Learn more about Scott Hargrove at scotthargrove.com keep up to date via Twitter @ Scott_Hargrove and his Facebook page @ ScottHargroveMotorsports
Learn more about Michael Johnson at michaeljohnsonracing.com keep up to date via Twitter @ Racer54isCool and his Facebook page @ Michael-Johnson-Racing
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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 will contest the Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 Championship and Prototype Lites Championship in 2012.