Ricardo Juncos established Juncos Racing in 1997 as a small formula car race program based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After times became financially tough, Juncos relocated to the United States in 2002 where he worked as a mechanic for a small karting team based in Florida. Juncos was then able to open the doors to his own shop and run in karting series throughout the United States.
In 2009, Juncos Racing entered in the Star Mazda Championship (now the Indy Pro 2000 Championship), where the team had great success in its maiden season, finishing second in the driver’s championship and third in the team championship. The following year, the team captured its first championship in the series with Indiana native Conor Daly. Fast forward to 2015 where Juncos Racing had its most successful season, when they captured the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires driver’s championship with current NTT Indy Car Series driver Spencer Pigot and also claimed the Indy Pro 2000 (former Pro Mazda Championship) team championship.
In 2017, Juncos Racing announced they would enter the NTT IndyCar Series and compete in the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500. The rookie team would go on to finish a respected 15th with Sebastian Saavedra and 18th with Spencer Pigot. The team went on to make history in the Road To Indy ladder series after becoming the first team to win both the Indy Pro 2000 Driver Championship (Victor Franzoni) and Indy Lights Championship (Kyle Kaiser) in the same year. The following year Juncos Racing continued their successful run in the Indy Pro 2000 Championship, winning their second consecutive championship with rookie Rinus VeeKay. The team also competed in 12 of the 17 2018 NTT IndyCar Series races with three drivers sharing the No. 32 entry including 2017 Indy Lights Champion Kyle Kaiser, Rene Binder, and Alfonso Celis Jr. In the fall of 2018, Juncos Racing announced their expansion to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship to field one Cadillac DPi-V.R entry full time in 2019. Most recently the team finished their busiest and most expansive year during the 2019 season. The year began with Juncos Racing entering their first full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship starting with the 24 Hours of Daytona in late January. The team competed in eight of the 10 scheduled events after a two-race hiatus was forced by a devastating incident in July.
Juncos Racing continued their strong stance in the Road to Indy ladder series winning the Indy Pro 2000 Team Championship, finishing second in the Indy Pro 2000 Driver Championship with Rasmus Lindh and second in the Indy Lights Championship with Rinus VeeKay. One of the most memorable and captivating moments during the 2019 year came in May as the team attempted to qualify for the 103rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. After a successful and promising week of practice, a devastating wreck on the Friday before qualifying totaled the No. 32 Juncos Racing NTT IndyCar Series entry. The team rallied and rebuilt the car overnight to be on track in time for the first day of qualifying. Kyle Kaiser made multiple attempts throughout the afternoon to put Juncos Racing in the field of 33. However, he was unsuccessful and would have to wait for a final chance the following day. The final day of qualifying held only three spots for six drivers trying to make the field. After five cars made their attempt, Kaiser went out for his last qualifying run. Kaiser’s run proved to be one of the most highlighted qualifying attempts as he knocked out McLaren’s solo entry driven by Fernando Alonso and took the final spot on the grid. Juncos Racing went on to finish 31st in their third running of the Indianapolis 500.
The mission of Juncos Racing is to develop young drivers from around the world into the next level of their racing careers through the Juncos Racing Driver Development Program. Through this program, the team not only works with drivers on track to improve their skills behind the wheel, but also gives them the tools needed to understand the engineering and mechanics of the race car. Drivers who have participated in the program and have gone on to compete in the next level include Connor de Phillippi, Nicolas Dapero, Tatiana Calderon, Peter Dempsey, Conor Daly, Spencer Pigot, Victor Franzoni, Kyle Kaiser, Rinus VeeKay and Rasmus Lindh.
Born into the Argentinian racing culture, Ricardo Juncos began working as a mechanic anywhere he got the chance — often as a pastime with friends, working on their racecars. While committed to learning the car and its mechanics, his true goal was to be a driver. This commitment and dedication paid off when Ricardo began racing in the Formula Renault Series at 22 years old.
Ricardo established Juncos Racing in 1997 in Argentina, but moved to Miami, Florida five years later with only $400 and a dream of creating a champion racing team. Within a week of being in the United States, Ricardo landed a job as a go-kart mechanic. His knowledge and resolve led him to reestablish Juncos Racing in 2003 as a karting team to train upcoming drivers. Team Juncos quickly gained bragging rights, winning over fifteen karting championships in five years.
In 2009, Ricardo transitioned to the Mazda Road to Indy series with the determination to make his team known as a true competitor and eventual champion. Success struck one year in, with driver Conor Daly taking the Pro-Mazda Championship in 2010.
Acknowledging that Indianapolis is the epitome of IndyCar racing, Ricardo ultimately made the decision to relocate there in 2012, and four years later he cut the ribbon of his own shop in Speedway, Indiana, the Indianapolis 500’s home turf.
Ricardo is a humble man whose leadership style stands out among team owners. As a former driver with an education in engineering, Ricardo possesses a unique ability to help translate between drivers and team engineers, making the racing experience richer and more integrated for both groups. It is not uncommon to find him in the shop completing various tasks alongside his team. He takes a back seat at times of celebration, impressing upon his team the sense of unity and rebuffing the notion that any one member is more valuable than another.
Ricardo is an esteemed Argentinian with deep-rooted ancestry in his home country, but his love for the United States is second to none. Ricardo grew up hearing stories of the U.S., but experiencing what this country has to offer has made him a true believer. Ricardo openly recognizes the U.S. as a land of opportunity and security relative to his home country. He appreciates the melting pot of cultures and the scores of honest, loyal, and kind-hearted people who welcome his passion to develop young drivers — of any nationality. This passion is the hallmark the Juncos Racing Mazda Road To Indy program.
Juncos Racing has enjoyed tremendous success over the years. Among these are the 2010 Pro Mazda Championship with driver Conor Daly, 2014 Pro Mazda Championship with driver Spencer Pigot, and taking the 2015 Indy Lights Championship with Pigot in their first season running in the new Indy Lights car. In 2017, Juncos competed in the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500 with a mere 64 days to prepare. Driver Sebastian Saavedra finished in a respectful 15th position, while Spencer Pigot finished 18th. The Juncos Team went on to win the 2017 Indy Lights Championship with driver Kyle Kaiser, and the 2017 Pro Mazda Championship with driver Victor Franzoni.
All of the wins and championships are impressive, but Ricardo’s vision and team philosophy are what set Juncos Racing apart. Ricardo is a proven leader who manages to integrate his love for racing and love for family, as evident from the team roster. Ricardo’s wife, Danielle Juncos, is vice president. His father (another former Argentinian racer) Cay Juncos is the team caterer, and his brother Alejandro is the Pro Mazda crew chief. The sign above the door may say “Juncos Racing,” but you don’t need to have the Juncos name to be welcomed into the extended multicultural family within.
Juncos Racing, Inc., President
2003 to present, Indianapolis, Indiana
Fittipaldi Racing Karts, Team Manager / Engineer
2002–2003, Miami, USA
Advanced Karting, Lead Mechanic
2002, Miami, USA
Juncos Competición SRL, President, Driver, Engineer, Components Designer
1997–2002, Buenos Aires, Argentina
E.F. Racing Team, Mechanic
1997, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Magic Motors S.R.L., Lead Mechanic
1995, Corrientes, Argentina
American Institute of Racing Engines, Racing Engines Technician, 1996
Technological University of Nordeste, Argentina, Mechanical Engineer, 1994-1998
National Technical School of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Electromechanical Technician, 1988-1993
1996 Formula Renault Elf 1400cc – Rosario Motorsport, Argentina
1997 Formula Renault Elf 1400cc – Team Porcelli, Argentina
1998 Formula Renault Elf 2000cc – Juncos Competición, Argentina
1999 Formula Renault Elf 2000cc – Juncos Competición, Argentina
2000 Sport Prototype – Juncos Competición, Argentina
2001 Sport Prototype – Juncos Competición, Argentina
I’m from Liberty, MO, and I’ve been in racing since 2002.
I’m proud of having been with Juncos Racing through six championship wins in Indy Lights and Pro Mazda.
In addition to Jucos Racing, I’ve worked with Dragon Racing, Sarah Fisher Racing, and HVM Racing.
Two things to know about me — I am a very, very picky eater! Also, my hands have a unique feature, the Simian Line (head and heart lines fused together.)
I worked for a decade in the legal field before joining Juncos Racing, but I am a lifelong racing fan!
I live in my home state of Indiana with two kids and a Doxle (beagle/daschund mix) named LuLu.
I am a professional people watcher, and chocolate will get you far with me. Currently learning Spanish but already fluent in sarcasm. I am a Daughter of the American Revolution and an avid Second Amendment rights advocate. Once belonged to a Star Fleet – just for fun. Pack Treasurer for a Boy Scouts of America troop. I have five awesome brothers, no sisters, and an irrational fear of slugs, centipedes and bridges over large bodies of water.
I’ve been involved in racing my whole life in different capacities, but have been working in racing full-time since May 2018.
As a hospitality coordinator, I have loved having the opportunity to work on a guest ranch in Colorado, being involved in so many people’s wedding days, and being part of a qualifying team for the Indy 500 in 2018.
In addition to Juncos Racing, I’ve worked with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the 500 Festival, Blackburn Sports Marketing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
I live in my home state of Indiana with my husband, Stacy. I love playing music and singing, coaching girls’ high school lacrosse, and riding my horse.
I live in my hometown of Indianapolis, IN, and have been a race fan for as long as I can remember.
Fun fact — I landed this job after interviewing Ricardo Juncos for one of my college course! Also, I speak fluent Spanish and French.
I was born in Chicago, raised in Argentina, and moved to the US in 2002. I’ve been in racing since 1983.
As a driver, I was a 1989 Sport Prototipo runner-up and the 1990 Sport Prototipo Champion. I also drove in Formula Renault, Formula Super Renault and Turismo Carretera.
As an engineer, I designed, built, and homologated FIA Formula Renault car Argentina, and designed and built many TC cars. I also founded my own racing team, Gonella Competición.
In addition to Juncos Racing, I have also worked with Gonella Racing, Guarnaccia Competición, Scuderia Sena, Ferrea Racing and Active Serve Racing.
I have a wife, Mirta, and two daughters, Sofia and Catalina.
