JDC MotorSports is very pleased to add American Ashley Freiberg to its driver line-up for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season. Seeking to repeat as series champion, the Minnesota-based squad will have the talented rookie behind the wheel in the Mazda Road to Indy series via the newly created TrueCar, Inc. ‘Women Empowered Initiative’.

In addition to always striving to win championships, JDC MotorSports has continually been focused on finding and developing talent behind the wheel. That continues in 2012, with the addition of Ashley to its Star Mazda Championship roster. Thanks in large part to a new driver advancement program by TrueCar entitled ‘Woman Empowered’, Ashley will join forces with the defending and three-time Star Mazda champion JDC MotorSports. The former Skip Barber Racing champion, who has four Star Mazda races on her resume, including a top-five finish in 2010 at the Autobahn Country Club, will contest the entire upcoming 18-race campaign, partnering fellow up-and-comer Juan Piedrahita under the JDC awning.

“We are really excited about working with Ashley during the 2012 season,” stated JDC MotorSports team principal John Church. “The opportunity to work with Ashley and TrueCar is a real honor, and we look forward to a great season.”

“It’s hard to express how excited I am for this opportunity that TrueCar has given me,” stated Ashley. “I have an awesome team around me, with TrueCar, JDC, Burke Harrison, and Mike Zimicki. I am thrilled for the chance to work and learn with all of them this season. The only way to describe all of this coming together is like a ‘dream come true’. Let’s go racing!”

The 2012 season is just the latest step on Ashley’s on-going quest to reach the top echelon of motorsports. The Illinois native, who currently resides in Vermont, first made her mark in the karting ranks, winning multiple races and championships. In 2007, Ashley made the transition to car competition, immediately showcasing speed and skill in Skip Barber Racing action. She continued her progression behind the wheel via greater and greater success in Skip Barber competition. Ashley made history in 2010, becoming the first female to win both a Skip Barber National race and championships, capturing two Barber Series titles via a 25-win season. Thanks to this success, Ashley was selected as one of six female racers in 2011 for the inaugural TrueCar ‘Women Empowered Initiative’. This program is a multi-year commitment to support rising female racers in several series. TrueCar.com is the best way to begin the car buying process, because its certified dealers provide a hassle-free car buying experience, and the website makes you a pricing expert by telling what other people are paying for the car you want to buy.

JDC MotorSports will commence its chase for another Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear title on March 24-25, when the opening two rounds take place on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series. Prior to the season-opening doubleheader, Ashley and her teammate will take part in private testing, and be part of the annual Star Mazda Championship Spring Training event at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama on March 19-20. JDC MotorSports is continuing to evaluate additional drivers for the upcoming race season, with interested drivers urged to contact the squad.

To keep up to date with the 2012 driver line-ups, be sure to regularly visit the eFormulaCarNews.com Tentative Entry List webpage located HERE