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JOHNNY
MILLER SIGNS WITH DERHAAG MOTORSPORTS
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June
8, 2004) — 2003 Motorock Trans-Am Series
championship runner-up Johnny
Miller announced today he plans to compete in two Trans-Am
races this season. Miller will return to his
racing roots, driving the No. 64 Chevrolet Corvette with
backing from longtime sponsor Eaton Electrical.
Miller is set to compete at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.
(Aug. 5-8), with plans to race at the Grand
Prix of Denver (Aug. 13-15).
Miller comes
into this year following what was arguably his best Trans-Am
season on record. Last
season, Miller finished second in the title chase, after
earning his second career victory, and scoring eight
podium finishes in 10 starts. Miller was also one of
NASCAR’s “hired guns,” competing in two NASCAR Nextel
Cup races for Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Miller finished
24th, on the lead lap, in his Nextel Cup debut at
Infineon Raceway, and ran has high as fourth before a
mechanical failure relegated him to finishing 36th at
Watkins Glen International. Miller was Trans-Am Rookie of the
Year 1996 and was named BBS Most Improved
Driver in 1998 in a vote by his fellow competitors.
Miller will
drive this year for veteran Trans-Am team Derhaag Motorsports.
Miller’s effort this season is a
prelude to a planned full-time season in 2005.
“Due to the
overwhelming success of the program both on and off the track
in 2003, and Trans-Am’s
triumphant turnaround this season, Eaton Electrical wanted to
seize upon the opportunity to continue their
support this season,” said Miller, who has two victories, 27
podiums, as well as 40 top-five and 67 top-ten
finishes in 100 career Trans-Am starts.
“We rely on
our sponsors to race,” added Miller. “Eaton Electrical has
proven it is dedicated to this program.
I’m glad the decision was made to return this season and
we’re looking forward to 2005.”
“Road
America and Denver are significant races for our sponsors,”
continued Miller. “Eaton Electrical has
one of its major facilities in Milwaukee and counts Denver as
a key market. Being a sponsor-driven program,
our off-track success is just as important as our on-track
performance. Along with racing to win, we will
support all of Eaton Electrical’s motorsports activities
this year. We’re going to attend to them full force to
give Eaton Electrical even more added value for its
support.”
Miller is
pleased to be part of Derhaag Motorsports this year.
“Bringing
with him nearly two decades of experience as a Trans-Am
driver, Jim Derhaag runs a professional,
highly organized racing team,” said Miller. “Derhaag
Motorsports really stepped up to the plate to give me a
shot this year. We tested last month and I was very impressed
with how the team works. I’m looking forward
to racing with them this season.”
Miller began
his racing career driving Corvettes. In fact, his number comes
from his first GT-1 car, a
1964 Corvette.
“It’s
great to again be back in a Corvette in the Trans-Am
Series,” said Miller. “I have competed in many
different series, including Nextel Cup and Grand-Am, but the
Trans-Am Series is where my heart is.”
Eaton
Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2003
sales of $8.1 billion. Eaton is a global
leader in fluid power systems and services for industrial,
mobile and aircraft equipment; electrical systems
and components for power quality, distribution and control;
automotive engine air management systems and
powertrain controls for fuel economy; and intelligent
drivetrain systems for fuel economy and safety in trucks.
Eaton has 51,000 employees and sells products to customers in
more than 100 countries. For more
information, visit www.eaton.com.
For
more information on Johnny Miller visit www.milleracing.com.
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