Sonoma, Calif. - Completing her first year in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, Julia Ballario scored two more yop-10 finishes in Rounds 13 and 14 of the Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sonoma Raceway. Ballario’s team Juncos Racing captured the team and driver’s championships in an exciting final weekend of the 2014 season.
Rookie Julia Ballario, 22, driving the #6 Pistas Argentinas/Argentina Art/Juncos Racing car added two top-10 finishes in the final two races of the 2014 season. Round 13 proved to be a difficult race after Scott Hargrove collided with Juncos Racing teammate Spencer Pigot causing oil to spill out from his car onto the track surface. Ballario struggled to find grip throughout the race, finishing 10th after qualifying 11th. The following day in Round 14 Ballario was able to move up a few spots to take home eighth after starting in 11th position in one of the most action packed races of the year. Ballario who became the first female to compete in the United States from Argentina finished 11th in points in her first year of the Pro Mazda Championship.
“This weekend was not the best for me but was a great experience to live within the team,” said Ballario. “Even when they had to struggle they fought until the end to become champions. During the first race the track conditions were very poor due to the oil left from Spencer’s (Pigot) car and it was impossible to have good grip on the track. Braking with very little grip was difficult, and I was passed twice and made it impossible to maintain the position I started in. In the second race I was able to dodge the cars who spun in Turn Two. I spent the whole race running as fast as I could to finish in the best possible position. I want to congratulate and thank all of the members of Juncos Racing for their hard work and sacrifice to make this an amazing year. I owe the team for helping me evolve into the series and always making me feel confident. Thank you very much to my sponsors Pistas Argentinas and Argentina Art for all of your support and company this year, my family for their unconditional support and to all of the people who made this season possible and are helping make this all possible again for the 2015 season. I also want to thank all of the people of Argentina who have followed and supported me on my social networks during each race even during the good and bad times.”
About Julia Ballario: Becoming Argentina’s first female driver to compete in the United States, Julia Ballario pilots the #6 Pistas Argentinas and Argentina Art car with Pro Mazda Championship winning team Juncos Racing. Ballario made her first appearance in the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires in with Juncos Racing claiming Top-10 finishes in her only two races of the season. As a child, Ballario competed in many karting series throughout Argentina resulting in numerous podiums and championships. In 2006 Ballario’s career took off when she claimed podium finishes in both Provincial and Federal Championships at the Argentine Championship in Santiago del Estero. Ballario made her switch to Formula Renault Plus racing in 2007 where she earned the title of “Best Woman Driver” in Federados Amateur Class. From 2010-2013 Ballario competed in numerous series including: Turismo Carretera Pista Mouras, Turismo Nacional Clase 2, Formula Renault Plus, TC2000 Championship, and Top Race V6. For more information please visit www.juliaballario.com.