WHAT HANDICAP?

Junior formula car standout JDC MotorSports has announced that paralyzed racer Michael Johnson will again be part of its multi-car title challenge in the 2013 edition of the Cooper Tires USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda series, and will move up with the team into the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear in 2014.

The 20-year-old Michael Johnson made history this past season, becoming the first paralyzed driver to compete in the Mazda Road to Indy program, piloting a specially-equipped hand control car in the USF2000 Championship with multiple junior formula car champion JDC MotorSports. Showing steady improvement throughout the season, the Michigan native - who was paralyzed in a motorcycle racing accident in 2005 - was a consistent top-10 performer in practice and qualifying, earning a top-10 finish in Round 10 at Road America. Johnson further highlighted his development behind the wheel during the annual year-end Chris Griffis Memorial Mazda Road to Indy test, leading one of the USF2000 Championship sessions and ending the two-day outing second on the overall time sheets.

Building on this momentum, the junior formula car rising star will reunite with JDC MotorSports for a second season of USF2000 Championship, focused on challenging for race wins and a series title. Johnson and JDC MotorSports have also confirmed he will remain with the Minnesota-based team in 2014, progressing up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder to the Star Mazda Championship. Michael Johnson Racing, in preparation for the move. has already acquired a Star Mazda car, which will now be converted by JDC MotorSports - with the input of INDYCAR and the Star Mazda Championship - to a hand control set up for 2014.

JDC MotorSports and Johnson will officially commence their 2013 season on February 5-6, when the No. 54 Universal Coating/SpeediCath/FlatOutNation.com/Red Line Oil/ Bell Racing/Alpinestars JDC MotorSports entry takes to Sebring International Raceway for the opening three races of the Cooper Tires Winterfest.

photo credit: 2012 indycar.com

edited text: 2012 indycar.com