Performance Tech Motorsports is bringing on Mazda Factory Driver Joel Miller as the fourth driver in its lineup for the 56th Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Miller’s experience in both developing cars and racing at the Rolex 24 will aid Performance Tech as it takes on new challenges in a new class. Mazda has relied on Miller to lend a hand in developing various cars including its new Pro Mazda PM-18 and the Mazda RT24-P Daytona Prototype raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. He joins Performance Tech’s James French, Kyle Masson and Patricio O’Ward to complete the driver lineup.
Miller has never raced with Performance Tech Motorsports but spent time coaching former drivers in the IMSA Prototype Challenge Presented by Mazdaseries. He kept in contact with Team Principal Brent O’Neill over the years and with help from John Doonan, Director of Mazda Motorsports, a deal came together shortly after the Roar Before the Rolex 24 in mid-January.
“Brent and the Performance Tech team have been part of the Mazda Motorsports family for many years. To see them progress from the Prototype Challenge program to the WeatherTech Championship is very satisfying to us and our brand. To now have Joel teamed up with them, as one of our current factory drivers, is an added bonus,” Doonan said. “I am really glad it worked out for everyone involved and we hope to see Joel and the team succeed.”
O’Neill welcomed the addition to the team on the heels of adding new partnerCentinel Spine. Performance Tech Motorsports enters the Rolex 24 weekend well-staffed and supported.
“It’s a great week for our team adding Centinel Spine and closing a deal to have Joel with us at the 24,” O’Neill said. “I talked with Joel while we were at the Roar and decided he would be a solid addition to the team. Thanks to our long relationship with Doonan we were able to make that happen even though he’s still with Mazda. Joel has an engineering background paired with racing experience which will really help as we continue to learn this new car. He’s a great kid, and we’re happy to have him.”
Miller is happy to bring his expertise to Performance Tech in hopes of securing his first Rolex, the team’s second.
“I look forward to working with the Performance Tech team and working together with the drivers,” Miller said. “It’s a small family team that always takes the fight to bigger teams which is inspiring to see. They’ve won this race already in the PC class, so the team knows the process. I’m glad to help bridge the learning gap to IMSA’s top class for the Rolex 24 hour but the car was competitive at the Roar, so I expect we will continue on the path the Performance Tech engineers have planned. If I can lend some setup help then, fantastic, I’ll be there to help.
“The opportunity for back to back wins is very exciting and its cool to be with a team that is capable of doing that. I look forward to assisting the team with my experience from the past couple of years over the course of the weekend.”
