Miller shifts gears, becomes driver coach

Joel Miller has won karting and Skip Barber National championships, was runner-up in the Star Mazda championship and competed in Firestone Indy Lights – all since 2005.

Now the 24-year-old from Hesperia, Calif., undertakes a new role in racing as driver coach for the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship powered by Mazda – two rungs of the Mazda Road to Indy development ladder. Miller will work alongside technical and driver consultant Johnny Unser, who will return for his fourth season.

Miller, also an instructor at the Skip Barber Racing School, holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California-Riverside.

"Joel will be a great driver coach," said Spencer Pigot, who moves up to Pro Mazda with Team Pelfrey this season. "He has experience in both series and has won a lot of races."