JDC-Miller MotorSports confirms regulars Misha Goikhberg and Stephen Simpson will return to the team’s full-season #85 entry in the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech Championship.
JDC-Miller MotorSports today confirmed their first full-season driver lineup for the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech Championship with JDC-Miller regulars Misha Goikhberg and Stephen Simpson teaming up for their second prototype class campaign in the team’s #85 entry.
Goikhberg and Simpson, along with Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup driver Chris Miller, became IMSA’s 2017 success story as the bright yellow ORECA regularly challenged for victories and podiums.
The team ended their debut season in top-level prototype racing fourth in both the driver and team championships, highlighted by runner-up finishes at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and the Mobil 1 SportsCar Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. Regularly one of the fastest cars in the field, the team also recorded fastest laps at Road America and Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, where Goikhberg also qualified the car on the front row. The team led laps in four events and was the only prototype team to finish every race, only once finishing outside of the top six.
Minnesota native Chris Miller will again join the team for the four rounds of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup, after helping to secure the team’s first podium finish of 2017 at the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
“I’m glad to be back with JDC-Miller for another season and am very curious to see what we can do with a year under our belt.” Goikhberg said “The competition is getting very high and we welcome the challenge. I think we can still improve in all areas as we look to make a more sustained and targeted challenge at the championship and capture that first elusive win. I’m very happy that we have continuity in the driver line-up as well and look forward to co-driving again with two very strong drivers in Stephen and Chris.”
Simpson shared similar excitement in being able to continue the team’s momentum from 2017.
“I’m excited to be continuing my strong relationship with JDC-Miller Motorsports and sharing the #85 car with Misha and Chris for another year,” remarked Simpson. “Continuity and chemistry has been key to our strong 2017 season and I relish the added competition that the 2018 season promises. I’m confident we can build on what we have learned and head into the new season with high expectations.”
The fourth JDC-Miller MotorSports driver for their Rolex 24 at Daytona lineup will be announced in the coming months. With the team’s recent announcement to expand to a two car program for 2018, testing with both cars and several candidates for the second full-season entry and Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup roles are already underway, with several tests planned for November and December.
More news about JDC Miller MotorSports 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program is expected to be released soon.
