With two races remaining in his first full season as a Firestone Indy Lights driver, Mexican native Juan Pablo Garcia has encountered a season full of experience.

“We’ve had a lot of good races and some not so good races,” Garcia noted.  “It’s a tough sport.  We started out running a pretty solid season but recently we have encountered a few issues.  I know these aren’t a positive for my season but in the long run, each weekend is important to my development as a driver.  I will learn a lot more from a difficult, more challenging season than I would if everything were perfect.”

JP has visited 10 tracks so far this season, 6 being brand new to him and his car,

“Thus far, my favorite tracks have been Long Beach and Toronto.   I really enjoyed Long beach because I already knew the course and I felt very confident.”

Garcia not only enjoyed the track, but also the atmosphere of the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

“With my family having our U.S. home in San Diego, California has always had a special place in my heart,” Garcia mentioned.  “So whenever we race in California it is extra comfortable for me.  I also had a lot of friends and family attend the race so it was overall just a great weekend!”

Racing isn’t always about feeling comfortable and knowing what will happen next.  JP has also had a few surprises during the season.

“The most surprising thing I have experienced this season is the way you have to drive an oval,” JP admitted.  “It is a very different driving technique than a street or road course.  This being my first year racing on multiple ovals, each track gets a little more familiar with time but everything is different on an oval.”

Juan Pablo Garcia and Jeffrey Mark Motorsport head into the final two races of the season in the Top 10 in points standings for the Firestone Indy Lights league.  The team has had a great rookie year so far and is looking forward to finishing strong.

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Trois Rivieres, Quebec – August 3, 2012 –  Juan Pablo Garcia recorded his seventh top ten finish of the Firestone Indy Lights season as he rounded out the top ten in the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres.

JP and crew were more than ready for the Trois Rivieres race.  The pace was perfect and conditions were in their favor at the start of the race.  After an unfortunate issue with the left rear wishbone, the #76 car of Jeffrey Mark Motorsport rounded out the Top 10.

“It was a great weekend for the entire JMM team,” Juan Pablo commented.  “We got a lot of track time and I gained a lot of valuable experience.  We unfortunately were not able to finish the race due to mechanical issues but I am happy to have added another Top Ten finish to my record.  We were really feeling it this weekend.  The crew did a great job with the car, as always, and all the cards were lined up in our favor.  It was an all around good weekend and I am ready to carry this momentum with us on to the last two races.”

The Firestone Indy Lights season is coming to a close, as the second to last race of the season will take place in Baltimore over Labor Day weekend.  JP and the JMM crew are ready to finish the season strong.

Driver: Juan Pablo Garcia
Car: #76 Jeffrey Mark Motorsport
Event Title: Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres
Location: Trois Rivieres, Quebec – Canada
Track:  Trois Rivieres Street Circuit

Join JMM
Practice:  Friday August 3rd from 2:10pm-2:55pm EDT
Saturday August 4th from 8:25am-9:10am EDT

Qualifying:   Saturday August 4th from 2:30pm-3:15pm EDT

Fun with Fans:  Firestone Indy Lights Autograph Session:  Saturday August 4th from 12:30pm-1:00pm EDT

Race:  Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres:  Sunday August 5th at 1:45pm EDT (60 laps)

Broadcast Info:  NBC Sports Network Thursday August 16th at 5pm EDT

Driver Quote:
“I’m really happy to be back in the car at this new race for me.  Trois Rivieres is a street circuit that I have never raced before.  I have studied the track on maps and videos so I am ready to get the in car and give it a go. We are coming off of a very strong car in Edmonton and hopefully we will be able to carry that momentum into the first practice session as well as the whole weekend.

I’m very happy about the all the changes we have made to the car this season.  Right now it is feeling good so we need to work hard and start the weekend right with our good car in order to have a better result.   Once all the pieces come together our results will improve and I feel like this weekend we have everything together.  I am excited for another weekend on the track.”

Edmonton, Alberta – Weather conditions were questionable all weekend long as the Firestone Indy Lights grid managed to stay mostly dry on the track at Edmonton City Centre Airport.

Starting the Edmonton 100 on rain tires due to moisture on the track, most of the grid came in early so switch back to slicks reducing lap times drastically.  Starting out in P10, Garcia made a good run ending in the top 10 at P9.  Experience is critical for Garcia as the season nears an end, he was happy with both the experience and results gained this weekend.

“I just finished the race here at Edmonton.  It was a great race; we started on rain tires and before the end of race we changed to dry tires,” Garcia commented.  “My start was good but another car just went in front of me and I didn’t have anywhere to go so I slowed and that cost me a few positions right off the bat.  It also took a while for my tires to get warmed up so I wasn’t up to full speed until around lap four.  When we made the pit stop for the dry tires, the car was feeling good and I was running very fast times.  I was able to catch up with Ostella from about ten seconds back and I passed him one lap before the end.  The car felt really great and I hope the crew and myself can carry this momentum over to Trois Rivieres.  We made a lot of improvements this weekend as a team and gained a lot of experience.  I am really looking forward to the end of the season. ”

The Firestone Indy Lights Series will finish out its Canadian tour in Trois Rivieres on August 5th.  The Race will begin at 1:45 ET and live timing and scoring can be found on IndyCar.com.