Brownsburg, Ind. – Juncos Racing completed the 2014 Chris Griffis Mazda Road to Indy Memorial Test with four drivers running in the Pro Mazda sessions this past weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rookie drivers Timothé Buret and Austin Cindric turned their first laps in the Pro Mazda car alongside veteran drivers José Gutiérrez and Garett Grist with team Juncos Racing. A total of 11 drivers tested with the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires in the two-day test on the 2.439 mile, 14-turn Indianapolis Grand Prix Circuit.
Returning to the track with Juncos Racing, Mexican José Gutiérrez, 17, driving the #5 Juncos Racing car finished second overall with a best time of 1:23.9432 (104.599 mph). Gutiérrez led two of the four sessions and completed 113 laps in the two-day test. The young Mexican recently completed his first season in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires recording one pole, one top-three and his first win in the season finale.
“The Chris Griffis Memorial Test went pretty well for Juncos Racing,” said Gutiérrez. “We were P1 in the last sessions during the two-day test. I feel very positive on how the test went. I was better and better each time I went on track. Thank you to all of the Juncos Racing crew for all of their hard work to give us a fast car.”
Showing he is ready for the next level in the Mazda Road to Indy, American Austin Cindric, 16, driving the #7 Juncos Racing car, turned his first laps in the Pro Mazda series finishing with a best time of 1:24.2124 (104.265 mph). Cindric was up to speed with the field quickly and showed great consistency overall completing 108 laps. Cindric recently finished his second season in the USF2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires and currently competes in the Red Bull Global Rallycross Lites series.
“What a fun two days,” said Cindric. “I learned quite a lot for my first test in a Pro Mazda car. I was able to get up to speed quickly and be right on pace with my teammates. Big thanks to the Juncos boys for the help and great opportunity.”
Continuing his run in the Pro Mazda series, Canadian Garett Grist, 19, driving the #6 Juncos Racing car completed 85 laps in his first test with Juncos Racing finishing with a best time of 1:24.4662 (103.952 mph). Grist previously competed with Andretti Autosport in the 2014 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires where he claimed two wins.
“I had a great week in Indy meeting everyone from Juncos Racing and testing with them,” said Grist. “It was great to spend time at the shop and learn about the team. We had some bad luck at the test, but we know what we are capable of.”
Showing a strong performance in his first appearance in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder, French native Timothé Buret, 19, driving the #18 Juncos Racing car, made his debut in the Pro Mazda car finishing with a best time of 1:24.5152 (103.891 mph). Buret looks to take the knowledge and experience he gained at the test to run in the 2015 Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires.
“Testing the Pro Mazda car with Juncos Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was a fantastic experience,” said Buret. “Juncos Racing has prepared a fast car and gave me all the support to improve my driving throughout the test. The Chris Griffis Memorial Test was a great opportunity to evaluate myself against the best Pro Mazda drivers, including teammate José Gutiérrez. I finished ninth in the overall results which was great for my first test in the Pro Mazda car. I look forward to the next opportunity to test in order to prepare myself to take part in the 2015 Pro Mazda Championship.”
Juncos Racing Team Owner Ricardo Juncos was pleased with all four driver’s performances and hopes to work with each of them in the future. Through the team’s driver development program Juncos continues to build drivers into the next level of their career’s both on and off track.
“We had a great weekend at the Chris Griffis Memorial Test,” said Juncos. “Austin (Cindric) and Timothé (Buret) really showed a lot of potential in their first time in the Pro Mazda car. I was very impressed with how quickly they were up to speed and how they worked with the team to gain as much knowledge as possible. Garett (Grist) gave a great run even when he didn’t get as many laps as the rest of the drivers due to a right rear wheel issue which caused him to miss most of the second session and he was not able run as many laps on new tires when red flags came out. It was great to have José (Gutiérrez) return back to the team for the test. He had a very impressive season with us this year and he carried the momentum into the test this weekend leading half of the practice sessions and finishing second overall on times. I hope to work with these drivers in the future and take them to the next level in their racing on and off the track. I want to thank each driver for running with the Juncos Racing team this weekend and the sponsors and families who support them. Thank you to my crew who continues to work hard giving the drivers the knowledge and cars they need to show their potential, and to the sponsors of Juncos Racing for their continued support.”
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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 Presented by Cooper Tires. The team operates out of Brownsburg, Indiana.