It’s time for another offseason update of what’s happening in the Mazda Road to Indy. In this edition, there is news from all three series as we rapidly approach preseason testing and escape the cold, dreary winter and starting turning some hot laps.

F3 Champ Rosenqvist to Test with Belardi Auto Racing

Reigning FIA European Formula 3 Champion Felix Rosenqvist, who is managed by former F1 and IndyCar driver (and brief Champ Car team owner) Stefan Johansson, will get another outing in an Indy Lights machine at this week’s test session on the Homestead-Miami Speedway road course. The 24-year-old Swede boasts impressive wins at the biggest F3 races in the world: Pau, Macau, and the Masters of Formula 3. Rosenqvist tested with several GP2 teams last fall, but the signs are beginning to point to a stateside career for the talented driver. Rosenqvist will join Belardi’s previously announced driver, Zach Veach, in the Belardi stable for a two-day test on the 2.21-mile, 14 turn road course.

“We’re thrilled to have Felix in our second car alongside Zach for the Homestead test and we’re very keen on his running in Belardi red and white this season,” commented team owner Brian Belardi. “They both have race-winning pedigrees. Zach has in-depth knowledge of the Mazda Road to Indy venues, and he knows how to win. I know that first-hand, as we had to fight him all year to take the title in 2014. Felix is equally as talented and has a well-developed understanding of the sport and the racecar itself. His resume speaks for it. If we can firm up this team, we’ll be gunning to bring the title back to Brownsburg at the end of 2016.”

Yufeng Luo Confirmed for Sophomore Season at Pabst Racing; Third Entry Possible

Pabst Racing, who earlier in the offseason announced the capture of Garth Rickards to campaign the 2016 Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, confirmed the return of Yufeng Luo to the team for a second season while also stating their intention to field a third car this year. Luo ran alongside Jake Eidson at Pabst last season, finishing eighth in the championship with three top-five finishes. Luo also competed in SCCA Formula Continental competition in 2015, claiming the National Championship with Pabst Racing at the SCCA Runoffs in September at Daytona International Speedway.

The 17-year-old native of Beijing, China, declared, “My hope for the second season with Pabst Racing is to grab the championship.” Luo will again drive the #23 Pabst Racing entry, the same car he piloted in 2015.

Spencer Racing Announces Entry into USF2000 National Class with Eric Filgueiras

Spencer Racing announced that they would be moving from the F2000 Championship Series up to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda for the 2016 season, bringing talented driver Eric Filgueiras along with them as they compete in the almost forgotten National Class. Filgueiras’ entry will be sponsored by Lipten Energy Solutions, a company that provides energy plant general contracting. The team will also be supported by Jimmy Vasser and KV Racing for trackside technical expertise.

“I’m extremely excited to be back with Spencer Racing,” explained Filgueiras. “This team is my home. After such a great season last year we decided collectively after many discussions and weighing different options that it made the most sense to join the USF2000 National Class competition. With so much knowledge gained last year, we’re taking our experience into this series and will be expecting to fight for the championship in our class.”

As the likely sole entry in the National Class in 2016, Filgueiras’ expectation for the championship should be met with ease.

As a side note, the National Class (which will be called the “B” class or some other clever variation) will return with vigor in 2017 with the introduction of the new Tatuus USF-17 chassis. The class will allow the current Van Diemen chassis to continue to compete for another season.

McCormack Racing and Davey Hamilton, Jr. Continue Testing Out West

You may have never heard of McCormack Racing, and if you have you may have forgotten about them, but all signs are pointing towards McCormack Racing being on the grid for the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season opener in St. Petersburg. McCormack Racing were the first team to place an order for the Dallara IL-15 in 2014, but were never heard from after a few initial press releases from Andersen Promotions. They have emerged from the darkness this offseason, though, with their yellow, black, and red car turning laps on the west coast.

Davey Hamilton, Jr. has been behind the wheel for McCormack Racing and, despite any official announcement, appears set as the driver for the team in 2016. They have tested on numerous occasions, including just last week at Buttonwillow Raceway in California. Hamilton, Jr. has recently posted photos on Twitter of his newly designed helmet just for Indy Lights and posted on-board videos of his testing expeditions.

Hamilton, Jr., the son of former IndyCar driver and team owner Davey Hamilton, has recently been competing in the both winged and non-winged sprint car events, claiming several wins in the King of the Wing series organized by his father. He also has an extensive karting background, thus he is no stranger to road courses. Another car on the grid is always a good sign for the growing car counts in Indy Lights competition. While no official entry list has been published by the series for this week’s test at Homestead-Miami Speedway, if McCormack Racing and Hamilton, Jr. are seen testing this week, it will go a long way towards unofficially confirming their participation in the series for 2016.

Juncos Breaks Ground on New Juncos Technical Center in Speedway, Indiana

Announced last May, Juncos Racing last week officially broke ground on their new crown jewel, the Juncos Technical Center on a snowy day in Speedway, Ind. The 41,000 square foot, $3 million building will be the headquarters for the growing Ricardo Juncos owned empire. The new building will house the team’s 25 employees and drivers while also leaving room for a future 30,000 square foot expansion to allow the team to do their own machining, painting, and other work in-hosue.

“The creation of the Juncos Technical Center (JTC) marks a historical turning point for the team,” said Ricardo Juncos, team principal and founder of Juncos Racing. “Less than 10 years ago, we were a small karting team in Florida, and I continue to be amazed by the amount of growth and success we have seen in such a short period of time.”
“The team has grown larger and stronger each year, which created the need for a facility like the JTC,” he continued. “This new facility will allow Juncos to continue to expand into new series. It wouldn’t be possible without the incredible passion and desire of every member of Juncos Racing, and I am truly grateful for all of the hard work they put in to make this dream a reality.”

“It is a complete privilege to welcome yet another outstanding motorsports team to our thriving Main Street area,” said Vince Noblet, president of the Speedway Redevelopment Commission. “The team’s vision for its new facility is directly in line with our goals for the town and will benefit largely from its neighboring location to the world’s greatest racetrack.”