Johnson and Connery gain valuable seat time and experience in four-race 'off-season' series
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The 2014 season officially got underway for the JDC MotorSports Pro Mazda Championship program with a solid effort by the multiple series champion in the inaugural Cooper Tires Winterfest. The ‘warm-up’ events leading up to the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires series this season saw American Michael Johnson impress the paddock in his series debut, securing top-10 finishes at both NOLA Motorsports Park (February 21-22) and Barber Motorsports Park (February 25-26), while fellow American up-and-comer Kyle Connery cracked the top-10 in his lone event in Alabama. The Minnesota-based squad is now set to build on these performances when the full season commences in the spring.
Typically, the post-holiday season is a time for preparation and private testing for Pro Mazda teams and drivers, but with the addition of the annual Winterfest series program, it has allowed squads the chance to do that in a competitive environment.
Traveling to Louisiana for the opening doubleheader, the focus for JDC MotorSports and its series rookie Johnson was developing and fine-tuning his unique hand-controlled racing steed and the driving style of the lone paralyzed driver in the Mazda Road to Indy program. The 21 year-old ultimately did just that, while also showcasing good pace and racecraft. Johnson, piloting the No. 54 Universal Coating/SpeediCath/FlatOutNation.com/Red Line Oil/Bell/Alpinestars entry, was part of a multi-car battle for positions in both races, coming home in eighth and 10th.
Three days later, Johnson was back on-course in Alabama, joined by Connery under the JDC awning. Continuing to work on car development and interaction with the crew, the skilled pair highlighted their talents behind the wheel. Connery steered his No. 91 Cleanairauto.com/BTSindustries.com/Searock racer to an eighth place finish in race one of the twin bill, while Johnson posted the fourth best lap in race two, en route to a ninth place finish.
Next up for JDC MotorSports is the quest for a fourth Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires title, commencing on March 29-30, with two races on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. The doubleheader will be run in conjunction with Grand Prix of St. Petersburg IZOD IndyCar Series opener.
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from RedLineOil.com
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ jdcmotorsport.com
For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075
Learn more about Kyle Connery at KyleConnery.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ Kyle Connery and Facebook @ Kyle Connery
Learn more about Michael Johnson at MichaelJohnsonRacing.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ Racer54isCool and Facebook @ Michael Johnson Racing Videos also available on YouTube @ 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 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.