Joel ahead of series rival Charles Hall before mechanical woes struck (photo: Eric McCombs/Star Mazda)

Joel Miller was poised for another podium finish this past weekend at Road America when a mechanical failure took him out of contention on the last lap. Miller started 4th for round 6 of the Star Mazda Championship and took the lead in the early stages of the race.

A track known for large drafting opportunities, he fell to 3rd before a caution slowed the field. “Something was going wrong during the second caution period because I felt the right side of my suit becoming wet. I knew the radiator was on that side of the car and when I got the alarm on the dash for overheating it confirmed my thought about a broken radiator,” stated Miller. “Also, my radio communication with the team and my electronics for the transmission shorted out due to the water damage; I knew it was a matter of time for when I would be forced to stop.”

Coming into the event Miller was leading the points championship, but unfortunately will fall to 3rd position,11 points behind Charles Hall. Miller quotes “I feel really bad for my sponsors because we should have had another podium this weekend. The caution laps were actually helping me stay in the race because it let the motor cool."

Joel in qualifying at Road America

The next round of the Star Mazda Championship will be in Trois Rivieres, Canada on the weekend of August 17th. Look for Joel Miller to come back in full force at the street circuit and put the #20 Mazda powered / K&N Air Filters / Mockett Company / Classic Stone Distributers / JDC Motorsports car on the top of the podium.

Joel has continued thanks for all his supporters MAZDASPEED, K&N Air Filters, Mockett Company, Classic Stone Distributors, Sparco, and DreamCars as well as John Church and Rick Cameron of JDC Motorsports.