Photo: Gavin Baker Photography / Road to Indy
Juncos Hollinger Racing has told Formula Scout it will be absent from Indy Lights this year, but is busy preparing for Indy Pro 2000 with its first signing Reece Gold.
The 17-year-old American is one of several drivers to have tested recently with the team at Sebring in the upgraded Tatuus IP-22 car that will be raced in IP2000 this year, and is embarking on his second season in the series with Juncos.
Last year he came fifth in the points, making him the second highest placed rookie, and won one race along with five pole positions and a tally of seven podium finishes. Gold graduated to the series after winning twice as a USF2000 rookie in 2020.
“I am very excited to be back with Juncos Hollinger Racing for the 2022 season,” said Gold. “I had a great first year with them and I am ready to build off that and fight for wins.”
Juncos team owner Ricard Juncos added: “We are thrilled to have Reece back on board with us this season. He proved to be a strong and consistent driver at a young age during his rookie year, so we are thrilled to build off that momentum going into St. Petersburg next month. I am confident Reece will find more success this year as we battle for the championship.”
While Juncos is expected to field three cars in IP2000, it will now be absent from Indy Lights – the next step up on the IndyCar support ladder – for the first time since 2014.
The team’s operations manager Keith Stein told Formula Scout “unless something dramatic happens, we will not be completing in Indy Light for the 2022 season” earlier this month, with focus now on IndyCar and IP2000.
Last summer the team found a new partner in Brad Hollinger, previously a shareholder in the Williams Formula 1 team, and that has enabled Juncos to return to IndyCar and as a full-time entrant with 2020 Formula 2 runner-up Callum Ilott this year.