Juncos Hollinger Racing, originally known as 'Juncos Racing,' has long been a prominent presence in various feeder series leading to the NTT IndyCar Series. The team has achieved significant success in championships like the Indy Pro 2000 and Indy Lights series. In 2017, the team made its debut in the IndyCar Series at the Indianapolis 500, with drivers Spencer Pigot and Sebastián Saavedra behind the wheel. Both cars finished the race without issues, securing 15th and 18th places, respectively. This success gave team owner Ricardo Juncos the confidence to aim for more IndyCar races the following year.
The IndyCar Debut and First Full Season
In 2018, Juncos Racing fielded a single car, with the races divided among multiple drivers, including René Binder, 2017 Indy Lights champion Kyle Kaiser, and Alfonso Celis Jr. That season, the team competed in 12 of the 17 races on the calendar, although they did not achieve any notable results.
A Historic Moment in 2019
In 2019, the team only participated in two NTT IndyCar Series events: the inaugural INDYCAR Classic at Circuit of The Americas and the 103rd Indianapolis 500. Kyle Kaiser, driving the No. 32 car, delivered a memorable performance during Bump Day by narrowly qualifying for the prestigious 500-mile race, eliminating two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso and the much larger McLaren Racing team in the process.
Return to the Grid in 2021
Despite the impressive 2019 performance on a limited budget, Juncos Racing did not return to the IndyCar grid in 2020. However, by the end of the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series season, the team, now known as Juncos Hollinger Racing, was back in the paddock and competed in the final three races of the season with rookie Callum Ilott. In 2022, the team entered a full-time car with Ilott once again behind the wheel.
Technical Partnership and Progress in 2022
Although the final three races of 2021 were challenging, expectations were higher for 2022, partly due to a technical partnership with Carlin. From 2018 to 2021, Carlin fielded at least one full-time car in each season but decided to focus solely on technical support for Juncos Hollinger Racing starting in 2022, helping the Argentine team further develop.
Improving Performances and Breakthroughs
The growth of Juncos Hollinger Racing became increasingly evident throughout the 2022 season. Callum Ilott began qualifying closer to the front, highlighted by a second-place starting position for the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. In addition to strong qualifying performances, Ilott also secured two top-ten finishes: eighth in the first race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course and ninth at Portland International Raceway.
Expansion to Two Cars in 2023
In 2023, the team expanded to two cars, with Callum Ilott joined by Argentine touring car champion Agustín Canapino. Ilott frequently showed speed but only achieved strong results in the opening and closing races, finishing fifth in both. Canapino had flashes of pace but failed to finish inside the top ten.
Significant Changes in 2024
Despite his speed, Ilott had to make way for Romain Grosjean. Canapino began his second season and achieved his first top-ten finish in his second race, but he was eventually replaced by Conor Daly after thirteen races. Although Grosjean was brought in as the star talent expected to bring success to the team, it was Daly who secured Juncos Hollinger Racing's first-ever podium finish with a third place at the Milwaukee Mile.
For 2025, the team has confirmed Sting Ray Robb and Conor Daly as their drivers.
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