Mid-Ohio: Johnny Miller race report

Johnny Miller, driver of the no. 64 Automationdirect/Eaton Cutler-Hammer Jaguar XKR, finished fourth after starting ninth in today's Trans-Am Race.

MID-OHIO STATS... Has five starts at Mid-Ohio...In 2001, qualified seventh and finished sixth...Best finish here - fourth in 1998...Made his first-ever Trans-Am start here in 1994.

BACKGROUND STATS... Ranks second in the points standings...Finished third at Long Beach and second at Mosport...In 2001, finished a career-best third in the points standings, after ranking first or second most of the season...In 2001,had five top-three finishes and completed every lap of every race...Earned the Owners' Championship for Rocketsports...Has 29 career top-five finishes...In 2000, scored his first career Trans-Am win at San Diego...Voted "Most Improved Driver" for 1998...Won the "Rookie of the Year" title in 1996.

On his race today... "We had a great motor and great brakes today, both of which are a big deal here. I got a lousy start, so I had my work cut out for me right from the beginning. I knew I had to pace myself so we'd have something left at the end. Good thing, too.

"It got pretty exciting those last few laps after the restart. Boris was a bit quicker than me there at the end. I couldn't get around Boris. If I tried, one of us wouldn't continue, and I wanted to continue. But I occupied Boris which probably helped Paul a bit and let him try to deal with Butch.

"I had a battle with Stu (Hayner) there for awhile. I read the rule book and he didn't; I drove by him in the grass! Randy (Ruhlman) and I were racing a bit there, too. It was just a racing deal. He was defending his position and he didn't think I'd try to pass.

"All in all, I pretty happy with our fourth place today. We sure earned every point this weekend."CONTACT: Wendy Gabers, 517-204-1239 (cell)

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