JDC MotorSports Visits USF2000 Winterfest Victory Lane
 February 28, 2014| 
  • Team News
Toppe scored the win in Louisiana and Andrews added top-fives in Alabama

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – JDC MotorSports commenced its 2014 campaign with a return to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda victory lane. The professional motorsports operation recently completed the six-race Cooper Tires Winterfest for the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda series (February 21-22 & 25-26). Clark Toppe began his second season of championship action with a win and a pair of top-10 finishes during the NOLA Motorsports Park tripleheader, and followed that up with three top-10s during the three races at Barber Motorsports Park. Scott Andrews likewise showcased his talents, securing two top-four finishes in Louisiana, before adding three top-10s in Alabama. Brazilian Felipe Donato joined the duo for the final three races of the Winterfest Series, further highlighting the talent under the Minnesota-based team's awning.

The  pursuit of 2014 USF2000 Championship supremacy commenced for JDC MotorSports, with a three-car effort in the now annual Winterfest series. While the primary goal for the skilled JDC squad was preparation for the upcoming USF2000 Championship season campaign, Toppe, Andrews, and Donato were all focused on showcasing their talents, and challenging for top honors.

The opening three races of the six-race 'off-season' championship that took part at the 2.75-mile NOLA road course certainly featured that. Piloting the No. 97 Toppe Motorsports/Red Line Oil/JDC Motorsports entry, Toppe led the charge, making the most of the experiences gained from his 2013 rookie season. The Woodlands, Texas native highlighted his development behind the wheel, posting the fourth best lap in the lone qualifying run. The 16 year-old promptly converted that effort into a pair of eighth place finishes, prior to starting from the front-row in the tripleheader finale. An impressive drive followed, with Toppe securing his inaugural USF2000 Championship win.

"I couldn't ask for a better day," stated Toppe. "The first race didn't go that well, and this race was perfect. I got out in front and led every lap. The car was great. JDC MotorSports gave me a great car. Thank you so much to my parents and everyone supporting me to be here. It is unbelievable and definitely feels great."

Andrews added to the excitement under the JDC awning in New Orleans. The No. 93 Andrews Automotive/AMSF/JDC MotorSports race pilot qualified seventh in his return to series action, and while the opening affair did not go as planned, he rebounded in fine fashion. Andrews started just outside the top-five in the two follow-up races, displayed pace and racecraft en route to two fourth place finishes.

Given the results from the first Winterfest event, spirits were high when the JDC cars rolled back on-course just three days later at Barber Motorsports Park. With Donato joining Toppe and Andrews on the driver roster, the squad continued to work on car and driver development, while at the same time looking to make their mark. Toppe continued to showcase his progression behind the wheel on the 2.38-mile Alabama road course, qualifying seventh prior to securing three more top-10 finishes (10th in race one, eighth in race two, and sixth in race three). Andrews followed in his teammates footsteps, battling for positions in all three affairs en route to finish eighth, ninth, and seventh. Donato, in his first race outing with the junior formula car standout squad, moved up the scorecharts throughout the event, ultimately adding to the top-10 tally with a 10th place result in Round Six.

"It was a week of up and downs,” stated Andrews. "We had a nice package at NOLA, but I didn’t get the most out of my tires in qualifying. After being crashed out in race one, I think we did an awesome job to bring home two fourth-place results, and being competitive enough to win. We were scratching our heads at Barber up until the final race, when we were able to make the car competitive. It's a good feeling to know where the cars are at. Now all I can do is everything in my power to try and find the sponsorship to race the full championship."

With the 2014 edition of the Winterfest series now in the record books, JDC MotorSports and its talented racers switch focus to the upcoming Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda campaign. The season-opening doubleheader takes place on March 29-30, with Rounds One and Two as part of the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IZOD IndyCar Series opener. Prior to the twin bill on the Florida street circuit, the Minnesota-based team will continue pre-season preparations.

JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from Red Line Oil.com.

Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team's website, jdcmotorsports.com. For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075.

Learn more about Scott Andrews atAndrewsMotorsport.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ScottAndrews93 and Facebook @ Scott Andrews Racing.

Learn more about Clark Toppe at ClarkToppeRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @Clark Toppe and Facebook @ Clark Toppe Racing Videos also available on YouTube @ Clark Toppe

Learn more about Felipe Donato at FelipeDonato.com.br and keep up to date via Twitter @FelipeDonato51 and Facebook @ Felipe Donato.

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

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