Birmingham, Ala. - After a two-month hiatus, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires returned with Rounds 3 and 4 at Barber Motorsports Park. Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Reece Gold claimed his first win of the season during Round 3, while teammate Enaam Ahmed took home his second podium of the year finishing third in Round 3 of the Andersen Interior Contracting Grand Prix of Alabama.
The second weekend of the Indy Pro 2000 Championship kicked off with three test sessions on the 2.3-mile, 17-turn road course Thursday. JHR showed great speed with their two-car lineup as Gold driving the No. 55 The Ticket Clinic car and Ahmed driving the No. 47 Clear Capital Markets car finished inside the top three during the first two sessions.
Friday morning teams returned to the track for the first and only official practice session. Gold took the fastest time overall, followed by Ahmed in second. Qualifying ended the day, with again JHR on top as Gold claimed the pole for Round 3. Ahmed continued with the strong momentum qualifying third.
Round 3 of the Indy Pro 2000 Championship took place Saturday morning. Gold, who started from the pole, went on to lead every lap and claim the first win of the year for JHR. Ahmed took third, earning his second podium of the season.
Qualifying for Round 4 ended the day Saturday. Ahmed once again took the third starting position, followed by Gold qualifying fourth.
The weekend concluded Sunday afternoon with Round 4 under sunny skies. JHR narrowly missed the podium, with Ahmed finishing fourth and Gold in fifth.
INDY PRO 2000 CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:
4TH – REECE GOLD
5TH – ENAAM AHMED
Reece Gold, driver of the No. 55 The Ticket Clinic / Juncos Hollinger Racing car:
“Even though we didn’t get the best result in the second race this weekend, we still walk about with a win and pole from the first race. I am really looking forward to getting to Indy for our home race and ready to be back on track.”
Enaam Ahmed, driver of the No. 47 Clear Capital Markets / Juncos Hollinger Racing car:
“We had a good weekend at Barber, getting a third and fourth finish. It can be better, we know we have a very good car in qualifying and we know the potential is there so we will see how we can improve and get better in the next race.”
Ricardo Juncos, Co-owner and Team Principal of Juncos Hollinger Racing:
“Overall everyone really stepped up their performance this weekend at Barber. The team and drivers did an outstanding job working together. Reece and Enaam both showed great speed all weekend as we were able to bring home a pole, win, and podium. I want to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication to this team. We just have less than two weeks to get ready to be back on track for the Indy GP, so we will continue to stay focused and will carry this momentum with us into the next rounds.”