St. Petersburg, Fla. – The 2022 Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires kicked off this weekend on the Streets of St. Petersburg with Rounds 1 and 2. Enaam Ahmed claimed the first podium of the season for Juncos Hollinger Racing, finishing second in Round 1 of the Andersen Interior Contracting Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
After a busy month of testing, Juncos Hollinger Racing was ready to get the 2022 season underway. The team debuted their new liveries featuring a bold new design in the familiar green and white, and a new addition of black.
Reece Gold driving the No. 55 The Ticket Clinic returned to the team for the second year along with Ahmed driving the No. 47 Clear Capital Markets car for his first full season with the team.
The weekend began Thursday with one practice session on the 1.8 mile, 14-turn street course. The following day started with qualifying for Round 1. Ahmed narrowly missed the pole and would settle for the second starting position on the front row. Teammate Gold qualified just outside the top five in sixth.
Round 1 of the Indy Pro 2000 Championship kicked off Friday afternoon under sunny skies. Ahmed, who started second would go on claim the first podium of the year for Juncos Hollinger Racing finishing second. Gold who started sixth finished seventh.
The weekend concluded early Saturday morning with Round 2. Ahmed took the third starting position while Gold started 10th for the 25-lap race. After the start of the race, Gold made contact on the front straightaway during Lap 4, however was able to recover and would go on to finish 10th.
Teammate Ahmed unfortunately was involved in an incident later in the race that would end his day early in 13th.
Team Owner Ricardo Juncos said, “Overall both drivers showed great speed and we know we have a great battle ahead for the championship this season. Both drivers were fighting for the pole position for the first race. Enaam pitted one lap earlier than Reece and was able to lay down a fast lap before the red flag came out. Reece was on track for the pole as well, but unfortunately the red flag came out on his fast lap and he lost his time.
"Qualifying matters a lot at a track like St. Pete as little passing is involved, so Reece unfortunately would struggle to get up front like he deserved this weekend. Enaam did great in the first race maintaining his position and went on to finish second, securing a podium to start the season off. The second race we faced some unfortunate incidents that put both drivers further back in the field. Although we had our ups and downs this weekend, we still have a long way to go for the 2022 season and I am confident both driver swill be fighting for the championship this year.”
Reece Gold No. 55 The Ticket Clinic: “Not the start to the season we wanted but we showed good pace and I am already looking forward to the next race to show what we can do. Thank you to Juncos Hollinger Racing for a great car and The Ticket Clinic for their support.”
Enaam Ahmed No. 47 Clear Capital Marketing: “Overall it was a good weekend, we were always one of the pace setters in every session. I’m very happy with the car Juncos Hollinger Racing has given me and I look forward to the rest of the year.”