Minnesota squad seeking return to post-race podium with three-car effort during Night Before the 500
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires commences its two-race switch to oval racing this Saturday (May 25), when Round Five takes place at Lucas Oil Raceway. JDC MotorSports enters the prestigious Night Before the 500 event with the talented trio of Zack Meyer, Juan Piedrahita and Lloyd Read ready to start a summer charge for top honors.
While there has been no racing action for the Pro Mazda racers since late March, when back-to-back races were held in Florida, the JDC drivers and crew have been keeping busy preparing for when the title fight resumes. The highlight was a pair of recent official series tests at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Lucas Oil Raceway.
The one-day outing at the technical undulating road course in Ohio, as planned featured lots of car and driver development for JDC MotorSports. Both Piedrahita and Read (Meyer was not in attendance due to other commitments) spent the morning and afternoon sessions working with the skilled JDC mechanics and engineers on setup options, which are important at the flowing 2.258-mile, 13-turn track. Having focused on gathering plenty of data and seat time experience, the test ended with Piedrahita fourth quickest overall in the No. 9 Petrosur/Sisolec/GFK Motors/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports racer, and Read cracking the top-eight.
Immediately following the checkered flag waving in Ohio, the JDC MotorSports squad packed-up and went a few hours west to Indianapolis, Ind., for two days of oval racing preparation. Prior to rolling on-course at Lucas Oil Raceway for official Pro Mazda testing, the JDC drivers took part in the annual Mazda Road to Indy Oval Clinic. Featuring INDYCAR leaders, the event provided valuable insight and information to the up-and-coming racers about oval racing. One day later, it was time to use what was learned via three test sessions. For Read, this initially meant getting acclimated to the 0.686-mile banked track in his No. 16 Read Motorsports/Aerocraft Design/Maaco/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry. Piedrahita meanwhile went about working on car balance/setup, which is key in circle track racing. While the cool conditions were not ideal, the test proved extremely beneficial for both the drivers and crew, with a great deal of feedback and data gathered. When the day's activities came to a close, Read and Piedrahita were seventh and eighth fastest overall.
With multiple top-five finishes in Pro Mazda Championship (formerly the Star Mazda Championship) at ovals over the past few years, the stage is now set for the skilled JDC MotorSports contingent challenge for top honors in the first of two ovals on the 2013 race calendar.
"I'm looking forward to having a good weekend at Indy," stated Piedrahita. "I think we learned a lot at the test, and we know where we can improve."
"I am really anxious to get back to Lucas Oil Raceway Park," added Read. "We had a very successful test, considering I had not driven on an oval before. I think the race is going to be a race of attrition. The guys with the best cars will show that in the last 20 laps, and I plan on being in that group. I am missing my college graduation ceremony for this race, so I will be giving the race everything I have in order to pick up maximum championship points!"
The on-track action for the JDC MotorSports trio of Meyer, Piedrahita, and Read at Lucas Oil Raceway starts on Friday (May 24), when three event tests sessions are conducted. The Night Before the 500 event officially gets underway one day later, when two afternoon practice runs take place prior to single-car qualifying. Round Five is slated to get the green flag under the lights in front of a large crowd at 8:25 pm local time. JDC MotorSports enters the premier event currently fourth in the team standings, while Meyer leads the driver contingent, sitting sixth in the title chase. Live timing and scoring will be available at www.promazdachampionship.com/timing
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from www.RedLineOil.com
Learn more about Nick Andries at NickAndries.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ NickAndries81 and Facebook @ Nick Andries Racing
Learn more about Zack Meyer at ZackMeyer.ca and keep up to date via Twitter @ ZackMeyer66
Learn more about Juan Piedrahita at JuanchoPiedrahitac.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ Juanpc9 and Facebook @ Juan Diego Piedrahita "Juancho"
Learn more about Lloyd Read at LloydReadRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ LloydRead16 and Facebook @ Lloyd Read 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 added to its Star Mazda Championship win tally, USF2000 Championship podium total in 2012, and finished as the Prototype Lites Championship runner-up.