Lime Rock recap

LAKEVILLE, Conn. – Co-drivers Michael Johnson and Stephen Simpson and the JDC-Miller Motorsports team came tantalizingly close to repeating as winners of the Lime Rock Park 120, finishing second by just 3.325 seconds on Saturday at historic Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Conn.

“This weekend went pretty well,” said Johnson. “It was very challenging conditions with the high-heat temperatures but the JDC-Miller guys put together a great car. Stephen Simpson and I were able to run great stints and come out with our first podium of the season. We will use this momentum for Road America in a couple of weeks!”

Conditions were sweltering, impacting both drivers and crew alike, as temperatures soared into the mid-90s during the race.

“It was a solid result for us at Lime Rock Park,” said Simpson, who managed to maneuver the No. 54 Universal Coating Audi RS3 LMS into the lead with 12 minutes remaining. “JDC-Miller gave us a great car. They worked very hard all weekend. A special shout-out to the mechanics because they had to do a lot of work in 95-degree heat. It was really tough. Certainly Michael drove a fantastic stint, especially in qualifying. He was the top Audi. The race itself was a tough one. It was really hot. Tire degradation was higher than normal, so that was an extra challenge. Nevertheless, we came home with our first podium finish of the year and are looking to build on this moving forward.”

The NBCSN broadcast of the Lime Rock 120 will air on Friday, July 26 at 6 p.m.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge travels next to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. on Aug. 2-4 for the seventh round of the season. The Road America 120 goes green on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 4:05 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on IMSA.tv with IMSA Radio commentary.