Combination of factors led to unrepresentative results for Alberico, Johnson, and Miller MINNEAPOLIS, MN. – The return to Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda action over the weekend (August 4-5) proved to be a frustrating affair for multiple junior formula car champion JDC MotorSports. While the talented trio of Neil Alberico, Michael Johnson, and Chris Miller showcased good racecraft and pace during Rounds Six and Seven at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, a combination of factors, including some poor luck and trying weather, resulted in an uncharacteristic one top-10 finish. Spirits and confidence remains high, however, entering the busy second half of the 2012 season.
With no official race action since the 'Night Before the 500' oval event back in late May and a series test at Road America in late June, everyone under the JDC MotorSports awning was keen to get back on-track at Mid-Ohio. While the technical nature of the 2.25-mile road course presents plenty of challenges to both the drivers and engineers, the squad entered the doubleheader with plenty of data and information via an early season series test at the Ohio track, as well as previous F2000 success in Ohio.
Seeking to build on this knowledge and fine tune the JDC racing steeds for the conditions and each driver's style behind the wheel, the two tests runs and two practice sessions were spent working on car balance and setup, which is vital at the undulating Mid-Ohio track. With both Alberico's No. 19 Kartel Motorsports/Bondurant School/RaceLite Protection/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry, and Johnson's 54 Universal Coating/Alpinestars/Coloplast/FlatOutNation.com/Red Line Oil/Movement Arts Motorsports Marketing/JDC MotorSports car both cracking the top-10, and Miller just behind on the overall timecharts, the JDC contingent was poised for a strong showing during the lone qualifying outing.
Saturday's timed run, which set the grid for race one of the twin bill, however, did not go according to plan. The combination of traffic and a lack of overall grip resulted in some unrepresentative times by the talented trio. In the end, Alberico was 11th fastest, just ahead of Johnson, the first-ever paralyzed racer in the Mazda Road to Indy program, and Miller in 13th and 14th respectively.
After a short period of further debriefing and car tuning, it was time to get back into the cockpits for race one of the doubleheader in front of a large INDYCAR and American Le Mans Series crowd. As expected, immediately upon getting the green flag, the JDC drivers were involved in multiple battles for positions. Alberico made the most of every early race opportunity to charge his way forward into a place among the top-six. Miller and Johnson likewise looked up to the challenge, pushing their way up the scoring charts. For Alberico, unfortunately, that proved to be the high point of the race, as a mechanical issue steadily sent him down the order, ultimately crossing the stripe in 19th. Miller and Johnson continued their fight right until the checkered flag waved, with the No. 85 Miller Racing/Stockholm Motorsports Park/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports just missing a top-10 finish with 11th place at the line, and Johnson in hot pursuit in 13th.
Aware that a wet track can be the great equalizer, Alberico, Johnson, and Miller were among those that were happy to see a wet racing surface - the result of a morning thunder shower - when the cars rolled on-course for Round Seven. Much like the opening affair, the shortened nine-lap affair proved to be an up-and-down affair. On the positive side of things, Alberico rebounded from his frustrating race one outing with an impressive drive into the top-10 that ended with a sixth-place finish. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Johnson's race ended after losing three laps in the gravel trap, when he went off-course in his hand-controlled racing steed after being hit from behind. Miller split the difference of his two teammates, earning a 13th-place result in a race that featured little green flag action.
The busy second half of the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda schedule continues for JDC MotorSports on August 17-18, with Rounds Eight, Nine and Ten at Road America. The Minnesota-based squad enters the first-ever series tripleheader at its 'home' track currently fifth in the team points.
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 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.