Indianapolis, IN – The Juncos Racing Pro Mazda driver lineup is beginning to take shape with the return of José Gutiérrez competing in the 2015 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires. Gutiérrez rejoins the team after a successful rookie season where he helped Juncos Racing win the 2014 Pro Mazda Team Championship.
Third-generation driver Gutiérrez, 18, from Monterrey, Mexico, proved to be one of the most impressive rookies in the 2014 Pro Mazda series. Throughout the season, Gutiérrez displayed great consistency and speed through practice, qualifying, and races running with a tight competitive field. Gutiérrez recorded his first podium at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, one pole position at The Milwaukee Mile, and took his first win in the thrilling season finale at Sonoma Raceway. Gutiérrez is ready to use the knowledge and experience gained in his rookie season to battle for the 2015 Pro Mazda Championship.
“It feels awesome to be back with Juncos Racing for the 2015 season,” said Gutiérrez. “The 2014 season was a great learning experience getting to know the car and how the team works. We ended the season on a high note with a win in Sonoma and in 2015 we will be going for so much more than that. In the offseason I will be training a lot to be 100% ready for the start of Winterfest in NOLA.”
Juncos Racing Team Owner, Ricardo Juncos, is excited about the return of Gutiérrez and looks forward to taking the momentum gained last season into the 2015 championship.
“José’s (Gutiérrez) rookie performance in 2014 was unprecedented,” said Juncos. “Scoring a podium and a pole position in his first year was exceptional, but winning the final race at Sonoma proved that he was ready to make an assault on the championship in 2015. We are excited to have José back with us, and his return demonstrates the continued faith our drivers have in our team.”
In 2013 Gutiérrez made his initial debut as one of the youngest drivers in the Pro Mazda Championship. That year he joined Juncos Racing at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course test and again for the double-header at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
The 2015 Pro Mazda Championship kicks off with the “Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship” on the 2.75 mile 16-turn road course at NOLA Motorsports Park February 19-20th in Avondale, Louisiana. For more information please visit juncosracing.com and promazdachampionship.com.
About Juncos Racing: Ricardo Juncos, a second generation and former Formula Renault driver, grew up with a deep passion and desire for racing. At the age of 14, Juncos made his first steps in the racing community driving karts in Argentina. Through his success in karts Juncos was able to join the Formula Renault class competing throughout South America. After funding became difficult as many drivers experience over their career, Juncos began working for many race teams in order to continue his own racing career. During this time Juncos was able to learn all aspects of the car in and out, along with schooling in mechanical and electrical engineering. Stationed in Buenos Aires, Argentina and headed by Ricardo Juncos, in 1997 “Juncos Racing” became a full-service Formula Racing team. By 2003, the team relocated to Miami, Florida as a full-service karting team. During the first few years in the U.S., the team picked up 19 local, regional, and national karting titles. Juncos Racing moved operations north to Indiana, where they developed into a formula open-wheel racing team in 2008. The team went into full swing, dedicating most of the time preparing drivers and crew members for the next level in racing. Following this transitional year, Juncos Racing participated in its first open-wheel series, in the 2009 Star Mazda Championship - INDYCAR’s Mazda Road to Indy ladder series. 2010 proved to be a big year for the team with driver Conor Daly capturing the driver championship and finishing second in the team Star Mazda Championship. By 2012, the team’s operations expanded to include cars in the Firestone Indy Lights series and even recorded the fastest lap of the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That same year Juncos Racing driver Connor De Phillippi took third in the championship and Diego Ferreria was awarded “Most Improved Driver of the Year.” Juncos Racing continued their run in the Pro Mazda Championship (former Start Mazda Championship) finishing second in the 2013 team championship. Juncos Racing started the 2014 season off on a high note taking home the team and driver Cooper Tires Winterfest Championship. Recently Juncos Racing claimed the team and driver 2014 Pro Mazda Championship. The team operates out of Brownsburg, Indiana.
For more information, please visit www.juncosracing.com.
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