Johnny Miller to miss season finale

Johnny Miller to miss Trans-Am Tour season finale in Puerto Rico.

LANSING, Mich. - Johnny Miller, who drives the familiar No. 64 Jaguar XKR, will not compete in the Puerto Rico Grand Prix, Round 11 and the season finale for the Motorock Trans-Am Tour for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup. Miller, who recently made his 100th career Trans-Am start during Motorock Miami 100, will miss the race due to lack of funding.

Miller, who clinched second place in the Drivers' Championship point standings with his second-place finish in Miami, earned his second Tour victory this year at Lime Rock, from the pole. This year, Miller claimed two pole positions and eight podium finishes in 10 starts, including the last four races at Trois-Rivières, Road America, Denver, and Miami. Miller also competed in two NASCAR Winston Cup races at Sears Point and Watkins Glen.

"At the beginning of the 2003 race season, one of our secondary sponsor partners on Johnny Miller's No. 64 Jaguar significantly reduced their financial commitment to the project," explained Earl McMahon, Commercial Events Logistics Manager for Eaton's Cutler-Hammer business unit. "The void created by this sponsor left our program without enough funds to complete the 2003 season.

"We have attempted throughout the year to replace this sponsor," continued McMahon. "However, we've been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, as a result, Johnny Miller's No. 64 Jaguar did not fly the Eaton Cutler-Hammer colors in the Miami race, nor will it in the Puerto Rico Grand Prix.

"I've driven in 100 races in eight consecutive seasons and it's extremely disappointing not to complete the season, our most successful Trans-Am season yet," said Miller, who during his Trans-Am Tour career scored two wins, 27 podium finishes, 40 top fives, 67 top tens, and four poles. "But things are looking very positive for the 2004 season with Eaton Cutler-Hammer, their vendor partners, and the positive things happening with the Tour."

But Miller, ever the professional, still plans to attend the Puerto Rico Grand Prix. "It'll be hard to be there and watch," admitted Miller, who was voted the "Most Improved Driver" in 1998. "But I have a tremendous passion for the Trans-Am Tour. We've had a great season and I intend to see things through to the end. I want to be there to support the Rocketsports team, Jaguar, Motorock, and my sponsor. Eaton Cutler-Hammer has four manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico which I still plan to visit and sign autographs for the employees.

"I'm not done with the Trans-Am Tour, and I'm not gone. I'll go and support those who have supported me," concluded Miller.

-rsr-