JDC Takes 2009 Title
JDC MotorSports is the 2009 F2000 Championship Series champion after American Chris Miller clinched the series title on Sunday afternoon (August 16) with the victory in Round 12 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The newly crowned champion added a fifth place result and a pair of pole positions in the doubleheader, while Mexican rookie Alejandro Munoz finished 20th and 17th in the two races.
The goal for both Miller and JDC MotorSports since the start of the year was to win the F2000 Championship series title. Thanks to lots of hard work and some superb driving in the 10 races prior to the season-finale doubleheader, Miller entered Rounds 11 and 12 at Mid-Ohio with the championship lead.
When the on-track action got underway on the technical 2.25-mile road course, Miller wasted little time showing the rest of the 25+ car field that he planned on clinching the series title in style. The No. 85 Miller Milling/Red Line Oil/JDC Motorsports Van Diemen RF06/Zetec race pilot turned the second fastest time in pre-event testing and the quickest lap in final practice. The trend continued on Saturday morning, as Miller secured the pole position for race one of the weekend via a new lap record, adding an additional three points to his championship leading margin.
Round 11, run later in the day proved to be anti-climatic however. Miller, did not get the launch he desired, losing several positions by the end of lap one. With passing opportunities limited on the undulating Ohio track, the Edina, MN, driver settled into a comfortable race pace, aware that a top-five finish would further enhance his chances of clinching the series title in Round 12. When the checkered flag waved, Miler was classified fifth, one position ahead of nearest championship pursuer.
Munoz, having advanced four positions behind the wheel of the No. 96 Black Lion Racing/Redline Oil/JDC MotorSports/Van Diemen RF01/Zetec, finished 20th in race one of the weekend.
Miller returned to his leading ways one day later, commencing in morning qualifying. Turning the fastest time in the session, the second-year race pilot earned his second consecutive pole position at Mid-Ohio, adding three more championship points to his cause.
Returning to the cockpit of his JDC MotorSports entry a short time later, Miller once again was unable to hold the lead when the green flag waved. This time however, the talented up-and-coming driver quickly responded, regaining the lead within a few laps. From that point forward, Miller proved unbeatable, overcoming a race re-start to win not only Round 12, but the F2000 Championship Series title.
“The car was like it has been all year, perfect,” stated Miller. “JDC MotorSports has done a fantastic job, and to end the season with another win is just awesome. The championship and win just feel fantastic. It’s still sinking in.”
“This is a big day for JDC MotorSports,” added team owner John Church. “It’s awesome to end the year like this with an exclamation point. We ran away, starting from the pole and setting the fastest race lap. I couldn’t be happier.”
Munoz completed his rookie campaign with JDC MotorSports at Mid-Ohio by passing seven cars en route to a 17th place result.