Joel Miller claimed another podium at Road Atlanta

Joel Miller finished 2^nd to take another podium in round 11 of the Star Mazda Championship, a race that was a part of the Petit Le Mans weekend at Road Atlanta.

He qualified 2^nd for the Friday afternoon race, and when the lights went green from the standing start he rocketed into the lead. Showing great speed on cold tires, Miller pulled out a large gap during the first ten laps of the race.

However, a full course caution brought the field back together evaporating Miller’s lead. Everything went smoothly on the restart, but with the long back straightaway at Road Atlanta it allowed 2^nd place to draft past Miller. One lap later, another full course caution came out.

On this second restart, Miller took full advantage of the opportunity and made the pass for first going into turn 1. However, going into turn 3 he was hit from a car making a desperate manoeuvre which forced him off track. “After I took the lead going into turn 1, the team told me ‘car inside’ going into the next corner.He had the pass on me, but when I went to tuck in behind the overtaking car I was hit in the side pod and right rear, “commented Miller. The incident knocked Miller back to 5th place.

Only two laps remained after the incident, and to make matters worse Miller had a flat right rear tire. Despite the problem, he continued to push hard while avoiding another incident.

At the checkered flag Joel Miller was able to finish 2^nd bringing him 7 podium finishes in 11 starts this season.

At the podium Miller stated, “What can I say, the JDC Motorsports team gave me another capable car today. The cautions did not fall our way but even with that, I think we could have battled for the win if the tire didn’t go flat.” Miller also mentioned that an unknown vibration occurred before the first full course caution.

The final round of the championship will be at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 17^th.

Miller sits second in the drivers points championship only a few points out of the lead. He has to thank everybody who has supported him this season which includes: MAZDASPEED, K&N Air Filters, Mockett Company, Classic Stone Distributors, Sportsdrink+, Sparco, DreamCars, Oakley and all the crew at JDC Motorsports.