Cindric, DeFrancesco Complete JDC-Miller Lineup for Daytona

Photo: JDC-Miller

Austin Cindric and Devlin DeFrancesco will complete JDC-Miller Motorsports’ lineup in its No. 85 Oreca 07 Gibson for next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team confirmed on Friday.

NASCAR and sports car racing rising star Cindric and 17-year-old Canadian DeFrancesco join the previously announced Simon Trummer and Robert Alon in the LMP2 contender for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-opener.

Cindric, who has made starts in the WeatherTech Championship, IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series, Pirelli World Challenge and Global Rallycross competition, will make his Prototype debut.

The 19-year-old is set to race against Team Penske’s new Acura DPi program, which is managed by his father, Tim.

“It is no secret JDC-Miller MotorSports surprised a lot of people this year, showing that this group is more than capable of fighting with the big dogs,” Cindric said.

“It will be my first race in a prototype, so I have plenty to learn and absorb from my teammates. It is an exciting time in IMSA to be in a prototype, racing for an overall win, and I’m grateful to be part of it.”

DeFrancesco, meanwhile, is a race-winner the FIA European Formula 3 championship as well as being the reigning Spanish Formula 3 champion.

“I am looking forward for a great run with JDC-Miller Motorsports in the Daytona 24. Will be a pleasure to compete against some of the best drivers in the world and I am 100 percent focused to do a good job behind wheel of the No. 85 Oreca,” he said.

Team principal John Church added: “Austin and Devlin are both enormous talents and we are thrilled to have them join us in the No. 85 for Daytona.

“I have no doubt that both of them will familiarize themselves quickly with the Oreca 07 at the Roar and be up to speed in no time.”

The team’s two-car lineup for Daytona is now complete, with Gustavo Menezes having been confirmed on Thursday as the fourth driver in the No. 99 GAINSCO-sponsored entry alongside Stephen Simpson, Misha Goikhberg and Chris Miller.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John