Sebring Archives - JDC Motorsports

JDC-Miller MotorSports Finishes the 74th Twelve Hours of Sebring in the 8th Position

Katie Church on March 24, 2026

SAVAGE, Minn. (March 23, 2026). The JDC-Miller Motorsports No. 5 Porsche GTP team started the 74th 12 Hours of Sebring with a strong 7th place qualifying position, just .569 seconds behind the pole winner, and were very confident heading into the twelve-hour race. The car was quite strong and the drivers did an outstanding job executing the race plan. They stayed on the lead lap and remained in contention for a podium position throughout the day. As evening fell, due to the cumulative effects of all the bumps and bruises the car had endured during the long day’s work, the No. 5 Porsche was unable to improve its pace against its rivals and finished in 8th position.

The team wraps up the 36 hours of Florida and is looking forward to the sprint-heavy portion of the season and heading west to Long Beach and Laguna Seca.

Quotes:

John Church, Managing Partner, No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“There were many positives this weekend. We had quite a scramble in the shop to implement the livery changes, which resulted in some long hours, but the fan reaction to this livery has made it all worthwhile. This driver lineup has come together nicely, making the weekend more enjoyable for everyone. We got off to a good start when Kaylen qualified strongly. The team had a solid plan for qualifying, executed it perfectly, and achieved the result.

In the race, we started strong, got a little banged up along the way, and ultimately didn’t have what was needed at the end. A pretty typical Sebring, I would say. The JDC-Miller MotorSports crew performed 14 flawless pit stops, the engineering team made great calls before and during the race, and overall, everyone executed extremely well. There’s a lot to be proud of here.”

Kaylen Frederick, Driver, No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“Overall, there are definitely some positives to take from the weekend. The team gave me a great car in qualifying, and it was a pleasure to get a good result. We made a lot of progress with the car throughout the weekend, but so did everyone else. We probably could have made some different choices with the setup that might have been better for the later part of the race. At the beginning, we looked fairly strong with good pace. We were running with the leaders. In the heat of the day, we were performing quite well, but as it cooled off, we lost that pace and couldn’t get it back. The car took a bit of a beating through no fault of our own—some pretty hard hits that likely affected the handling later in the race. There are many positives to take away, but looking forward for the improvements I’m confident the guys will have for the next one.”

Tijmen Van der Helm, Driver, No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“We had a positive qualifying, so shout-out to my teammate Kaylen for giving us a good starting position. We made contact with rivals several times during the race, which is common at this event. We were a bit unlucky a few times with our tire strategy, and in the end, didn’t have enough pace to push hard. The car performed well during the race, the crew did a great job, and our driver lineup is really solid. On to Long Beach to see what we can accomplish.”

Nico Pino, Driver, No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“It was a tough race for us at the end; we had a good start and kept a strong pace all day. The car got quite beat up during the race, which definitely slowed us down toward the finish. The team did an excellent job. Every pit stop was perfect, and we always gained positions in the pits. I would have preferred a better result, but overall, I’m pretty happy. Now, we need to focus on fine-tuning all the small details that make a difference in a series as fiercely competitive as IMSA GTP.”

Unitronic JDC-Miller Porsche Ready to Tackle Sebring

Katie Church on March 17, 2026

Sebring , FL (March 17, 2026) — Following a challenging start to the 2026 season at Daytona International Speedway, the Unitronic JDC-Miller Motorsports team now shifts its focus to Round 2 of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge at the legendary Sebring International Raceway. The team will return to action March 18–21 with the #17 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, determined to bounce back and fight toward the front of the GS field.

Since departing Daytona, the JDC‑Miller MotorSports crew has been hard at work preparing the Cayman GT4 RS for the demanding Sebring weekend. Following the engine issue before their season opener, the team has focused on ensuring the car returns to the track at full strength and ready to compete in one of the most demanding races on the IMSA calendar.

“Hopefully St. Patrick’s Day brings us some luck this week as I feel we just need a little bit of it to get all the pieces of the puzzle to come together!” said driver, Mikey Taylor. “Heading into Daytona I thought we had a good car and were set for a strong weekend, but the issue right before the race forced us into another car with very little prep, which ultimately compromised our race. We’ve had a few more setbacks heading into Sebring, so we didn’t quite get to prepare the way we needed to. We’re looking to execute as well as we can with the track time we have, and with a little bit of Irish luck, we’ll be right up there at the end.”

Sebring presents a unique challenge for teams and drivers alike. First opened in 1950, the circuit is one of the oldest continuously operating road courses in the United States and is widely regarded as one of the most demanding tracks in North American sports car racing. Despite its numerous challenges, Sebring has historically delivered exciting racing for the IMSA paddock and remains a fan-favorite venue for both competitors and spectators.

For the Unitronic JDC-Miller Motorsports team, the upcoming race represents an important opportunity to reset the season after Daytona. With valuable data already gathered during the opening weekend, the team is optimistic about returning to form at one of the most iconic tracks on the calendar.

The green flag for the 2-hour Alan Jay Automotive 120 drops on Friday, March 20th at 2PM ET. Watch the full race live on Peacock, IMSA.tv, or IMSA’s official YouTube channel. Stay up to date on all our activities, learn more about the team, our pro drivers, and our tremendous sponsors HERE. Don’t forget to tune into the UNITRONIC social media channels for race coverage of all ten championship events as well.

JDC-Miller MotorSports partners with Cram-A-Lot for the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Season

Katie Church on March 16, 2026

SAVAGE, Minn. (March 16, 2026). JDC-Miller MotorSports is excited to announce a new partnership with Cram-A-Lot, a leading OEM of high-performance waste and recycling equipment. Cram-A-Lot will be an associate sponsor of the team’s number 5 Porsche 963 in their GTP class campaign for the rest of the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

Headquartered In Springdale, Arkansas, Cram-A-Lot produces a wide range of highly engineered waste compactors and recycling balers used throughout North America by retail, commercial, and industrial businesses. Cram-A-Lot products are found in operations of America’s largest retailers, including warehouse clubs, grocery stores, fast food restaurants, and convenience stores. Cram-A-Lot provides factory-direct, turnkey solutions to its customers, including sales consulting, custom equipment manufacturing, delivery, installation, repair, and maintenance services.

Founded in 1978, the company is a third-generation, family-owned and operated business with two manufacturing locations in Arkansas. Their Cram-A-Lot Logistics division includes a fleet of over-the-road flatbed trucks for equipment delivery, removal, and relocation. The company also provides comprehensive repair and maintenance services using its own factory-trained technicians as well as a network of qualified third-party service partners.

Quotes:

John Church, Managing Partner, No. 5 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“Cram-A-Lot is one of those great companies you probably aren’t familiar with but encounter every day. If you visit any shopping center in the US, you’re likely within yards of one of their products. Waste handling for many companies, like large retailers, is a significant issue, and Cram-A-Lot is the main supplier of the equipment that helps them manage this challenge efficiently. We are excited to have them on board for the season.”

Jason Lind, Co-President & CEO, Cram-A-Lot

“We are excited about this opportunity to support JDC-Miller MotorSports during their 2026 campaign. Being a family-owned business ourselves, we immediately recognized similarities between how Cram-A-Lot competes in the marketplace and how JDC-Miller MotorSports competes on the track. Success in endurance racing demands teamwork, determination, long-term focus, and, of course, the highest quality, most reliable equipment. Cram-A-Lot has upheld these same values over our 48 years in business, delivering exceptional quality and customer service while successfully competing against much larger competitors in our industry.”

JDC-Miller MotorSports Returns Historic Livery to the 74th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Katie Church on March 12, 2026

SAVAGE, Minn. (March 12, 2026). JDC-Miller MotorSports is pleased to announce that its Porsche 963 will showcase a new version of its 2021 12 Hours of Sebring winning livery at the 74th running of the iconic race and for the remainder of the season. The Porsche will run the number 5 as did the DPi class Cadillac in 2021.

Since the car is now a GTP class Porsche 963 hybrid, world-renowned graphic designer Andy Blackmore was engaged to create a new look that pays tribute to the team’s 2021 car but with a fresh style.

The youthful, but experienced, driver line-up will remain the same as Daytona, Tijmen van der Helm, Nico Pino, and Kaylen Frederick.

The 2021 12 Hours of Sebring marks a special time for the race and the IMSA WeatherTech Championship series. The series had adapted to COVID-19 restrictions and was racing again, on its traditional date, in front of its loyal fans. Five years later, we celebrate everyone who worked hard to bring us back to racing and the fans who came to enjoy this incredible event.

It will be a very busy 12 Hours of Sebring for the JDC-Miller MotorSports team as they will also be running the number 79 Oreca 07 Gibson in the LMP2 class. The team’s regular driver Gerry Kraut, will be joined by Australian Josh Burdon, and British driver Sennan Fielding.

Quotes:

John Church, Managing Partner, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

The 12 Hours of Sebring is always a special race for JDC-Miller MotorSports. The challenges inherent to “the 12 Hours” have always seemed to suit our team very well. We tend to thrive on adversity, and at Sebring, there is always hardship.

Our win in 2021 taught us a valuable lesson in perseverance, as the team overcame a variety of difficulties, from the pandemic to car contact. We were hit so many times during that race that we ran out of spares in our pit box. Due to our completely different sequence, no one expected us to be in the lead late in the race. The battered and bruised car brought out the best in the crew and drivers, and we kept pushing until we secured the win. Looking back at that achievement 5 years later—racing during a COVID-19 environment, overcoming numerous challenges on the track, and crossing the finish line first—is something to celebrate.

Reuniting with Mustang Sampling and Ken and Brenda Thompson is truly special and doing it 5 years after that special win in 2021 is very exciting. We are really looking forward to the renewed relationship. Sebring will be a great start.”

Ken Thompson, CEO, Mustang Sampling

“Brenda and I are thrilled to be back with JDC-Miller MotorSports. This renewed partnership feels like a full-circle moment as it coincides with the five-year anniversary of our win at the 12 Hours of Sebring. It’s a serendipitous reunion with the team, and we are grateful for the family atmosphere that runs throughout the organization—from the Church and Miller families, to the pit crew and drivers. The 2021 season was incredibly meaningful to us, which made returning five years later an easy decision. We look forward to bringing Mustang Sampling back to JDC-Miller MotorSports and competing together in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.”

Photo: Winning team of the 2021 12 Hours of Sebring

About Mustang Sampling

Mustang Sampling, LLC is the innovator of Analytically Accurate® solutions within sample conditioning systems. We provide custom solutions of products and services globally to the Natural Gas, Natural Gas Liquids (NGL), Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industries, including Hydrogen Blending and Carbon Sequestration. Mustang Sampling continues to pioneer integrated control systems, allowing our customers to maintain phase stability from sample extraction at the source through sample analysis. Our products are continuously improved and subjected to the highest quality standards, which provide our customers with the best sample conditioning solutions.

Contact info: MustangSampling.com info@MustangSampling.com

About JDC-Miller MotorSports

JDC-Miller MotorSports is a world-class multi-series sports car racing team based in Savage, Minnesota. Since its inception, the team has captured numerous championships and high-profile victories, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the Twelve Hours of Sebring. They are currently the only non-manufacturer team racing in the GTP class of the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship. JDC-Miller MotorSports also fields the no. 17 Porsche 718 GT4RS Clubsport in the Michelin Pilot Challenge Series GS Class. They are the 2024 TCR-class champions.

Sebring WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2025

Sophie Church on March 19, 2025

Sebring Michelin Pilot Challenge 2025

Sophie Church on March 19, 2025

JDC-Miller MotorSports brings home the No. 85 Porsche 963 in the 8th position at the 2025 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Katie Church on March 17, 2025

SAVAGE, Minn. (March 17, 2025) — JDC-Miller MotorSports brought their Porsche
963 home in the 8th position at the conclusion of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in
front of a record crowd for the 73rd running of the classic race. This year’s “12 Hours”
lived up to its reputation as one of the toughest races in the world for both man and
machine. Sebring is famous for its bumpy airstrip surfaces and intense multi-class
traffic, especially with 56 cars starting on the 3.74-mile circuit. This year had an
additional challenge as temperatures soared to nearly 90°F in the midday Florida sun.

The JDC-Miller MotorSports team had a setup strategy of running a slightly
compromised setup during the heat of the day which allowed the handling of the car to
be optimal when the sun went down and temperatures cooled. Even with the
compromised setup, the No. 85 Porsche 963 was quite competitive in the heat of the
day, running as high as 3rd mid-day the strategy played out. After close to 9 hours of
hard racing, however, the left front brake rotor failed. Lady luck smiled on the No. 85
Porsche as a caution came out just as the team needed to pit the car. Quick work by the
crew got the LF brake replaced with the loss of only one lap and the team was optimistic
that with three hours remaining, they could get the lap back and make a charge to the
finish. Unfortunately, there wasn’t the usual series of yellows that are typical of the final
hours of this race, and the No. 85 Porsche soldiered on in the 8th position for the
checker.

Quotes:

John Church, Managing Partner, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“A challenging and a bit disappointing day for us. We struggled to find the balance on
Thursday, which is the only practice we get for the 12 Hours. Working late Friday
evening, we made a good step forward, so during the race we had good pace.
Unfortunately, the issue with the brake rotor put us a lap down, and the way the race
played out, we were never able to recover. Disappointing as we were on track to finish
4th or 5th, but that’s Sebring.

We will take what we learned here and focus forward to Long Beach. Thanks to Gimmi,
Tijmen, and Nico, for their great performances and bringing the car home in one piece
after a challenging 12 hours.”

Gianmaria Bruni, Driver, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“Great job by everyone on the team for a solid 8th place finish in what I think is the
hardest race of the season. The crew did an amazing job. We tuned up the car with the
engineers Friday night and went in the right direction. In the race, the car was really fast
in very hot conditions. Unfortunately, we had an issue with about 3 hours to go. The
front left brake disc failed and had to be changed. From there on, the car was not as
good under braking, which is critical for these cars. We were able to hold our position
and finish the race. Thanks to the team, Tijmen, and Nico. It’s not the result we wanted,
but I think it was the best we could achieve at Sebring today.”

Tijmen van der Helm, Driver, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“With only qualifying on Friday it is hard to put everything together with the setup before
the race. We had been struggling to find the setup on Thursday, but the guys worked
hard on Friday night to make some changes. In the race, the car was quite good.
Unfortunately, our luck ran out, and we had some brake problems. That can happen in
long races like Sebring. We do have some positive things to take away. There is work to
do, but we are on track for some good results later in the year. The pace is there, so if
we can put everything together, we should have success.”

Nico Müller, Driver, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“What a weekend with JDC-Miller MotorSports at the 12 Hours of Sebring! My first laps
in the Porsche 963. To be taking the checkered flag in that beautiful yellow car at the
end of the Sebring 12 Hours was a thrill. We were competitive most of the race. We had
a really fun race going until the brake issue developed, which threw us back.
Unfortunately, there weren’t enough yellows at the end to recover the lost lap. It was a
bit of a pity as our pace had been strong. After trying to fix the issue, we weren’t quite
as strong anymore as we struggled with general brake performance on the car. I think
we were on track for a top 5. That would have been great in this tight competition. I felt
at home with the team and in the car and enjoyed returning to IMSA. Thanks to JDC
Miller MotorSports and Porsche for having me. Hopefully, we’ll be back soon.”

JDC-Miller MotorSports fills out the No. 85 Porsche 963 driver line-up for the 2025 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Katie Church on March 10, 2025

Savage, MN (March 10, 2025)

JDC-Miller MotorSports is pleased to announce the addition of Swiss Formula E driver Nico Müller to its driver lineup for the 73rd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Müller will join full-season drivers Tijmen van der Helm and Gianmaria Bruni behind the wheel of the team’s No. 85 Porsche 963 GTP.

The 33-year-old Müller is a seasoned professional with a decade of experience in multiple disciplines, including GT and Prototype endurance racing, DTM, and most recently, Formula E. He rounds out a JDC-Miller MotorSports driver lineup with considerable Sebring experience. Nico’s previous Sebring experience was with WEC, participating in the 1000km in 2022 in LMP2 and in 2023 in a Peugeot Hypercar. Nico also competed in the 2022 24 Hours of Daytona in LMP2. He is a Porsche factory driver and currently drives a Porsche 99X in the Formula E World Championship. JDC-Miller MotorSports is thrilled he could fit this race into his extremely busy schedule.

This will be Van der Helm’s 4th 12 Hour, three of which are with JDC-Miller MotorSports. Bruni will take his 13th green flag this year and has had considerable success at the fabled track with a Sebring 12 Hour GT class win, WEC 1000km GT class win, as well as four other podiums.

JDC-Miller MotorSports has enjoyed success at Sebring, as well. Most recently, the team took the top step of the podium with an overall win in 2021, the second step in 2022, and a third in LMP3 in 2023, prior to the delivery of their current Porsche 963.

Quotes:

John Church, Managing Partner, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“We have a great driver line-up for this year’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Adding Nico to our already strong driver line-up with Tijmen and Gimmi, builds on the confidence we have coming off our very strong run at Daytona. Thanks to our friends at Porsche for all their efforts in making it happen.”

Gianmaria Bruni, Driver, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“I am really looking forward to the 12 Hours of Sebring with JDC-Miller MotorSports. I’ve raced here a dozen times with some success, so it’s a special place for me. It is hard on cars and drivers, but the JDC-Miller MotorSports team knows what it takes to win at Sebring. Hopefully, we can build on our strong effort at Daytona, keep improving, and get on the podium. “

Tijmen van der Helm, Driver, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“It’s great to be heading back to the Florida sunshine. I really enjoy the challenge of Sebring. The traffic and the concrete surfaces, as well as how competitive it is for all 12 hours. It is different than other races. Difficult in an enjoyable way. JDC-Miller MotorSports know what it takes to win there, so I am optimistic for a good result.”

Nico Müller, Driver, No. 85 JDC-Miller MotorSports Porsche 963

“First of all I’d like to thank JDC-Miller MotorSports, Porsche, and my Formula E Team, Andretti FE, who have made this last-minute project possible. I can’t wait to turn my first laps in the Porsche 963 and compete in my first prestigious Sebring 12-hour. It’s great being back in IMSA. I have previously competed at Sebring when WEC was part of the “Super Sebring” weekend. I loved following the IMSA action during the 12-hour. It’s known as the toughest race on the IMSA calendar. I am confident that together with JDC-Miller MotorSports, Gimmi, and Tijmen, all who bring lots of Sebring 963 experience to the table. That strong foundation will speed up my 963 learning process. One more good omen: Yellow is one of my favorite racing colors!”