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| June 27, 2012 |
| Star Mazda: JDC MotorSports Continues Top-10 Run at Iowa |
 | JDC MotorSports added a top-five and top-10 to the 2012 resume under the lights in Iowa
(Photo: Star Mazda Championship - Eric McCombs) |
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. (June 26, 2012) – JDC MotorSports concluded the oval portion of it Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear campaign late on Saturday night (June 23), with another strong effort at the Iowa Speedway. In what was a shortened affair due to lightning, the talented trio of racers competing for the three-time series champion showcased their racecraft and overall pace. Rookies Gabby Chaves and Ashley Freiberg ultimately added another top-five and top-10 to the 2012 results sheet by crossing the stripe in fifth and 10th respectively, while Juan Piedrahita's race ended prematurely in 14th place.
A little under a month after scoring a pair of top-10s under the lights in Indiana, the highly-regarded JDC MotorSports Star Mazda line-up was back on-track at another short oval. While the 0.875-mile tri-oval layout in Iowa presented a new challenge, Chaves, Freiberg, and Piedrahita entered Round Six poised to build on early season run of form that has netted three trips to the post-race podium and at least one top-10 result in every race.
As planned, the opening two practice runs at the high-speed oval was spent not only getting the JDC trio acclimated to the track - none of the three had previously competed at the Iowa Speedway - but also working on fine tuning each racer's entry. As is the case at every oval, finding the right setup is key to succeeding, particularly at a low-downforce facility such as Iowa. In the end, the drivers and crew gathered a lot of data, experience, and confidence.
Following a final extended practice run on Saturday morning, it was time to set the grid for the Iowa Speedway Foundation Star Mazda 100 via single-car qualifying. Unfortunately, the track conditions changed prior to the first car rolling on-course, thanks to a brief rain shower and delay to dry the racing surface. When the JDC drivers did finally get their chance to go after a fast lap, things did not go quite as planned. In what was ultimately a frustrating affair for the trio, Chaves posted the squad's best time in his No. 19 Comcel/Telmex/coldeportes/OMP/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry with the ninth quickest lap. Piedrahita followed with the 11th best lap, while Freiberg was 14th fastest in her No. 91 TrueCar.com/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports racer.
Returning to the paddock after the session, the JDC MotorSports drivers and crew quickly began formulating a plan of attack for the scheduled 100-lap race under the lights. Refocused on charging forward when the green flag waved, Chaves, Freiberg, and Piedrahita returned to the cockpits under threatening skies late on Saturday night. With the IndyCar Series and Indy Lights drivers and teams on-hand to catch all the action, the race proved to be an up-and-down affair for the JDC MotorSports clan. Chaves, further showcasing the talents that have helped him win junior formula car honors in both North America and Europe, vaulted up the timing charts lap after lap, earning a impressive fifth place finish. If not for the race being shortened to 91-laps due lightning, the rookie might have challenged for a place on the podium. Freiberg likewise was able to work her way up the scoring charts as the race progressed, with the former Skip Barber champion steadily gaining speed en route to second career top-10 via ninth place. Piedrahita was initially poised to follow his teammates forward in his No. 9 GFK Motors/Red Line Oil/JDC MotorSports entry, getting as high as 11th, before dropping to the rear of the field and retiring 12 laps before the checkered flags waved.
"Ovals are definitely a ‘different animal’ than road courses," stated Freiberg. "The demand for your mental focus is very strong as well as your physical abilities. Overall I am satisfied with how the event went. I learned so much, improved on my driving skills, my team worked hard, I worked hard, and the support from my sponsors and fans was incredible as always."
With oval portion of the 2012 schedule now complete, JDC MotorSports resumes its quest for Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear glory at a street circuit in Toronto, Ont., on July 7-8. The triple championship-winning team from Minnesota enters the first of three consecutive doubleheader events 'North of the Border' sitting third in the team standings. Chaves and Piedrahita are fifth and sixth respectively in the championship fight, while Freiberg is 11th.
JDC MotorSports races with associate sponsorship from http://www.RedLineOil.com
Additional information on JDC MotorSports can be obtained from the team’s website @ http://www.jdcmotorsports.com For direct contact, please contact John Church @ 952-233-3075
Learn more about Gabby Chaves at http://www.gabbychaves.com and keep up to date via Twitter @ GabbyChaves
Learn more about Ashley Freiberg at http://www.ashleyfreibergracing.com keep up to date via Twitter @ AshleyFreiberg and her Facebook page @ AshleyRacing
Learn more about Juan Piedrahita at juanchopiedrahitac.com keep up to date via Twitter @ Juanpc9 and his Facebook page @ Juan-Diego-Piedrahita-Juancho
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. This past 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. The Minneapolis-based squad won a third Star Mazda Championship with Tristan Vautier in 2011, in addition to being victorious in the USF2000 National Championship and earning multiple podium finishes in its Prototype Lites Championship debut campaign. JDC MotorSports will once again contest full seasons in the Star Mazda Championship, USF2000 National Championship and Prototype Lites Championship in 2012. |
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