LEXINGTON, Ohio - Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) narrowly missed making it to the podium this past weekend during the Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio, with Enaam Ahmed earning the best result for the team in Round 12 finishing fourth. After 12 rounds of the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, JHR continues to lead the Team Championship.
The three-day event on the 2.258-mile, 13-turn road course located at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course began with three test sessions Thursday. JHR took the top two spots during the first session with Enaam Ahmed driving the No. 47 Clear Capital Markets car to the top of the speed charts followed by teammate Reece Gold in the No. 55 The Ticket Clinic car in second.
The Indy Pro 2000 Championship kicked off Friday with one practice followed by two qualifying sessions. Ahmed finished the first practice fourth while Gold finish ninth. Qualifying for Round 11 didn’t go as planned for the two-car team with Gold qualifying eighth and Ahmed in 10th. JHR was able to move up for the final qualifying run of the day for Round 12 with Gold improving to fourth and Ahmed in fifth.
Saturday concluded the Cooper Tires Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio with Rounds 11 and 12. Round 11 took place that morning with just two short cautions during the 30-lap race. Ahmed, who started 10th, was able to move up the field, gaining four positions to finish sixth. Gold, who started eighth, moved up one spot to finish seventh.
That afternoon the Indy Pro 2000 Championship returned for the final race of the weekend. The 25-lap race would go caution free, with Ahmed moving his way forward from fifth to finish fourth. Gold, who started fourth, finished sixth.
After 12 rounds Gold currently sits second in the 2022 Indy Pro 2000 Championship followed by Ahmed in fourth.
“This was a tough weekend for us as a team as we struggled to find the pace we needed to make it to the podium,” said JHR Co-owner and Team Principal Ricardo Juncos. “We have had some amazing qualifying runs this year, but this weekend we just couldn’t keep that momentum going. Even though we didn’t end up where we would have liked, everyone still continues to work hard and stay focused as we still have five more races left in this championship. We have had great success in Toronto, so I know we will work hard to get back that strong momentum we have had this year.”
Enaam Ahmed, driver of the No. 47 Clear Capital Markets entry:
“This past weekend was the first time all year we couldn’t get our car into the optimum window at this track. Fourth place was the best I could salvage, but I know we will bounce back stronger at Toronto.”
Reece Gold, driver of the No. 55 The Ticket Clinic entry:
“Overall a learning experience at Mid-Ohio. We didn’t get the balance right until the end, but once we did we were one of the fastest cars on track. I also made some mistakes that I was able to learn from. Unfortunately we just couldn’t get the results from where we started the race. As always thank you to everyone at Juncos Hollinger Racing and to The Ticket Clinic.”