INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – One of the primary objectives of the Mazda Road to Indy is driver development, and providing training for young pilots who aspire to run in the Verizon IndyCar Series. JDC MotorSports’ USF2000 driver Parker Thompson is focused on the big league and, as such, learning the skills of oval racing will be key to his advancement up the racing ladder.  The Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda presents its drivers with their initial opportunity to experience the unique characteristics of a banked oval, running on the 5/8-mile Lucas Oil Raceway for the annual ‘Night Before the 500’ event.  The event has been rebranded as ‘FreedomFest’ for 2015 due to its move to an afternoon event, and JDC’s young Canadian driver will take his #80 entry to the Brownsburg, Indiana facility this week in preparation for the Saturday show (May 23), coming off a two-day test at a short track in Wisconsin.

“Parker has shown a great ability to adapt to everything that we’ve thrown at him to start the year,” offered John Church, JDC MotorSports Team Principal. “He’s run street circuits and permanent road courses, and he’s learned a ton, and has risen to each challenge.  We love the fact that he attacks each new test with passion and we’re looking forward to getting him on the oval to continue his development.  We really couldn’t be any happier with his performance so far this year.”

Parker is coming off a character-building weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where issues in qualifying put him at the tail of the grid for the first race of the doubleheader.  After working his way forward in Race 1, he was involved in contact that ended his race early that left him classified in 14th.  This would set up for yet another drive from the back in Race 2, as his race pace advanced him to 11th for the start for the second main event.  As he has done all year, Parker responded to his challenge and was the driver to watch in the second 30-minute race, which was held on the road course at Indianapolis.  The 18-year-old masterfully knifed his way through the field, capitalizing on a great start to climb up the order to a stunning sixth, winning both the Tilton Hard Charger Award and the Replay XD Move of the Race for this impressive progress on the opening lap of the race.

Having completed a two-day test at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in Wisconsin earlier this week, Thompson and his JDC MotorSports crew will hit the track at Lucas Oil Raceway on Thursday, May 21, running in three official series test sessions at 9:00 am,11:30 am and 3:45 pm. All times are Eastern. The team will have Friday to focus on car prep and will return to the track on Saturday, May 23 for the official FreedomFest program.  Following a morning practice session, Parker will make a run for his grid position for the 75-lap race with a two-lap combined time qualifying run at 9:50 am.  The main event will go green at 12:15 pm.  Team followers can tune into live play-by-play and live timing by downloading the new ‘Road to Indy’ app in iTunes or the Google Play store.  You can also follow through the series website – www.usf2000.com.

JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from RedLineOil.com , HR Sportswear and Showdown Displays.

JDC MOTORSPORTS – DRIVER INFORMATION:

Parker Thompson - #80

Age: 17

Hometown: Red Deer. Alberta

Sponsors: Bell Helmets, OMP, Parker Thompson: Drive to Stay Alive

Social Media:

Website: www.parkerthompsonracing.com

Facebook: Parker Thompson Racing

Twitter: @parkertracing

2015 Record:

Point Standings: 5th – 110 points

Best Finish: 4th – NOLA (Race 2)

Best Qualifying Position: 5th – Barber (Race 1)

Driver Quote (Grand Prix of Indy): “The race on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a character builder for the #80 JDC MotorSports crew. We've been struck with bad luck multiple times and yet we still came out swinging in the final race to take home a sixth from the back of the grid. I know one of these weekends we are going to take our turn on the podium, but Indianapolis wasn't meant to be. I couldn't be prouder of how we handled the situations we were put into as a team. We took home two awards for our efforts in the final race and we are fifth in the championship standings at the halfway point. There is plenty of season left to make our mark on the 2015 USF2000 Championship."

Driver Quote (FreedomFest): “Heading into the only oval of the season, I am feeling confident for a solid finish. Obviously, this race will be my first time ever racing on an oval, so it will be interesting to see how I can adapt and work with the team to improve myself and the car. Luckily, I have a great group of people behind me, so I am more than up for the challenge. I think if we play our cards right and stay out of trouble, a podium is within reach. I can't wait to get on track in Indy with my JDC Motorsports crew and see where we sit."

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 Philippi, 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. Last year, the squad continued its run of Pro Mazda and USF2000 podium finishes, and was third in the Prototype Lites title fight.