JDC-Miller MotorSports have confirmed that Richard Westbrook will join their returning driver Tristan Vautier as full-season drivers for the team’s 2022 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship Cadillac DPi-V.R programme with Mustang Sampling once again the primary sponsor for the effort.
Loïc Duval, who is already signed for a WEC program in 2022, will also return to the team for a third season for the endurance rounds of the 2022 season.
The trio will be joined by 2021 IMSA LMP2 Champion Ben Keating for the 2022 Rolex 24 At Daytona as the team’s fourth driver.
Westbrook had a two-race programme with Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus in the FIA WEC last season, proving his GT pace could transfer to a prototype.
“It’s great to have Loïc and Tristan back for 2022, and we welcome Richard and Ben to the program,” said John Church, managing partner of JDC-Miller MotorSports. “2021 was a challenging year for us. We were super competitive at Daytona until we had contact, then we bounced back and won the race at Sebring but after that, we got a little unlucky at several of the races. We know we had the speed but just never got the results.
“We had an opportunity to test Richard earlier this year and we feel he is the perfect fit for our program to partner with Tristan and Loïc for next year and in the future.
“The continuity we have with Loïc will prove valuable and with his previous commitments for a WEC program in 2022, he was the obvious choice for the endurance rounds of the Michelin Endurance Cup in 2022.
“Ben has proven more than once that he is up to the task of running on this level. Not only is he the current 2021 IMSA LMP2 Champion but he has done so many 24-hour races in the past that he will be a valuable addition to the lineup when we get to Daytona in January,” Church continued.
Ken Thompson comments that Mustang Sampling Racing is proud to be back with JDC-Miller Motorsports and Cadillac DPi-V.R program for the 2022 IMSA season for our eighth consecutive year.
“Brenda and I and the Mustang Sampling team along with our racing consultant Christian Fittipaldi are looking forward to the continued success with John Church and John Miller,” Thompson said. “They are two great racers and a pleasure to work with and be associated with.
“We are glad to have Tristian and Loïc back again for the 2022 season and welcome Richard and Ben to the team. I am confident with the great car Cadillac and JDC-Miller MotorSports provides us, along with the outstanding lineup of drivers, we will be very successful with many podium finishes throughout the year.
“I am also glad we will be working with the same pit crew staff we had in 2021. What a great group of people that are 110% dedicated to this team and winning.
“Last and most important we thank all of the fans and customers that are so loyal and follow us every season.”
Richard Westbrook: “I’m really excited to be back in IMSA for 2021 and to be joining JDC-Miller MotorSports in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. I’ve been in contact with John ever since my GTLM program ended in 2019 and we both were keen to work together when the opportunity was right,” said Westbrook.
“I’m just so happy we finally did it and grateful to John and the entire team and partners for believing in me and I’ll do whatever it takes to help take this team move forward into 2022 after they had some strong races last year. The last time I raced in the top class in IMSA we narrowly missed out on the title going into Petit Le Mans in 2015, so I feel I have a lot of unfinished business to take care of and I can’t wait to get going at the ROAR in January.
“I tested with the team back in October in Atlanta and I felt Tristian was someone I could really work with. He has a lot of pace and knows the car and team well. Having Loïc here for the rounds of the Michelin Endurance Cup is a huge plus; he’s one of the best in the business so I feel we have a top lineup. The team really impressed me at the test. They have a lot of talent on the crew side and on the timing stand so there is a lot to be optimistic about.”
Tristan Vautier: “Thanks to the team for their continued trust, it feels great to be going into our fourth year together in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. I really look forward to partnering with Loïc again, and a very warm welcome to Richard and Ben.
“This year was made of very high highs and some tough races as well for us, and the goal next year will be to be right there on every weekend. The competition will be even tougher and that’s how we want it. That’s why we’re here, fighting at the top of sportscar racing.”
“Daytona is coming soon; we’re all head down preparing for the biggest race of the calendar and the one we all want to win the most. I’m ready to go.”;
Ben Keating: “I am extremely excited to be running with JDC-Miller MotorSports for the 2022 Rolex 24 Hours. I have absolutely loved racing the LMP2 in IMSA for 2021, and to have the opportunity to drive in the top class of DPi and have a shot at an overall win is a dream come true. I have high expectations for myself and with the lineup of Tristan, Loïc and Richard we for sure are a candidate for the overall win. The JDC-Miller MotorSports team has proven it can win at this top level, and they always seem to be quick at Daytona.”
The JDC-Miller MotorSports/Mustang Sampling Racing #5 entry scored two podium finishes in 2021, winning the 12 Hours of Sebring and finishing third at the Long Beach Grand Prix.
