Thompson shines USF2000, Johnson returns to Pro Mazda action after injury
LEXINGTON, OHIO – There was lots to smile about under the JDC MotorSports tent last weekend (July 30-August 1) during the Mazda Road to Indy event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The team welcomed back their Pro Mazda drivers Michael Johnson, who was returning to race for the first time since his hard wreck at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March. While Johnson focused on getting back up to speed, working muscles he hadn’t in over a month, the squad’s USF2000 driver Parker Thompson put in a stellar performance in the three series events that were on the docket at Mid-Ohio, posting a trio of top-five finishes. Johnson’s Pro Mazda teammate Kyle Connery did not have any luck go his way, and he had a first lap off in Race 1 and was hit by another driver in Race 2.
In making his comeback after four months of rehabilitation, Michael Johnson was realistic in his goals for the weekend, knowing full well that he would need to work back up to speed. As the first and only paralyzed driver who is licensed by INDYCAR to compete in the series' developmental ladder program, the result of a flat track motorcycle racing accident at the age of 12, Johnson has unique demands put on his body and the Thursday test day proved valuable. Working muscles he had not taxed this aggressively in months, he quickly got back into the groove, pushing his limits. In qualifying, he gained another second on the leaders and would go on to post a pair of 15th place finishes in the doubleheader. He completed every lap of the weekend and will now look towards the series finale at Mazda Raceway in Laguna Seca to take yet another big step forward.
The 2015 has been up and down for the likeable Kyle Connery as the Florida driver has delivered some very strong top-five finishes. On this particular weekend in Mid-Ohio, nothing seemed to go his way. Despite the fact that he and JDC had a strong outing at the track in 2014, they were not able to find the speed they were looking for and this put him back in the field, where chaos often ensues. A first lap off track in Race 1 forced a pit stop and, after rejoining, Kyle focused on improving his qualifying for Race 2. Kyle was hit at the start of the second race on Sunday morning, and he was forced to pit for repairs. Like Johnson, Kyle will reflect on the weekend and charge back to the front in the finale in California in September.
The entire JDC MotorSports team will now focus on preparing their race cars for the final event of the 2015 USF2000 and Pro Mazda seasons, which will take them to the spiritual home of Mazda in southern California – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey. JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from RedLineOil.com, HR Sportswear and Showdown Displays.
Michael Johnson - #54
Qualified: 15th – 1:21.156 (+1.747 secs)
Race #1: 15th
Race #2: 15th
2015 Record:
Point Standings: 22nd – 22 points
Best Finish: 15th – Mid-Ohio (Race 1 and Race 2)
Driver Quote: “Mid-Ohio went alright. It wasn't the best result but I'm glad I got back going and I'm back on-track. My confidence was improving every session but I still have a ways to go to be back where the leaders are running. I hope that when we're at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, I feel better about my driving and can have some fun! I just can't thank JDC MotorSports and all the crew for getting the car put back together!!”
Kyle Connery - #91
Qualified: 12th – 1:20.497 (+1.088 secs)
Race #1: 18th
Race #2: 14th
2015 Record:
Point Standings: 14th – 107 points
Best Finish: 5th – St. Petersburg (Race 2)
Driver Quote: “Ohio was certainly not the weekend we were hoping for. After strong performances last year, despite an engine failure before qualifying, we just couldn't seem to extract the pace out of the car that we were looking for. Taking a couple weeks off to reflect and prepare for Mazda Raceway is a very good thing for myself. I am pushing to end on a high note for not only the team, or my family, but most importantly myself as well.
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.