Juncos signs Horto for Firestone Indy Lights; De Phillippi, Scuncio for Star Mazda
Scuncio, 20, will be competing in his second season with Juncos Racing. The 2008 Chilean Formula 3 Champion's racing program came together after Juncos Racing announced its partnership with the Chilean Formula 3 Association and FADECH, an agreement that will provide financial support for each season's Formula 3 Champion to compete with Juncos Racing in its Mazda Road to Indy ladder.
"I'm really excited about this season and want to thank Juncos Racing for another opportunity to race for them again this year," Scuncio said. "Connor joining the team will bring more experience and learning opportunities for me and the other drivers at Juncos."
De Phillippi, who finished second in the 2011 Star Mazda Championship with four wins and two poles, will compete in his third Star Mazda season. De Phillippi's recent partnership with ModSpace Motorsports secured his return to compete in Star Mazda for the 2012 season.
"I think that with the success that Juncos Racing has had in the past, there is a lot of good experience on the team to allow us to be very competitive this year," De Phillippi said. "I'm looking forward to teaming up with Martin and pushing each other to the limit for the championship each and every race. I would like to thank Juncos Racing and ModSpace Motorsports for giving me this opportunity to compete this season."
Scuncio and De Phillippi join Diego Ferreira and Bruno Palli as part of a four-car lineup for Juncos Racing's Star Mazda Championship effort.
The team recently moved up to competition in Firestone Indy Lights, and will go with Horto to lead its expanded effort.
"I am very happy and blessed to be racing this year," Horto said. "After years of experience and good results, I feel really confident to be moving up to Indy Lights, especially with Juncos Racing. I believe that together we will show that a rookie driver and a new team in the series can reach great results."
Though 2012 will be the rookie season in the series for Horto and Juncos Racing, Ricardo Juncos has composed a team that will be guided by the experience of Engineer Darrell Soppe and Crew Chief Jimmy Pinkley, former Firestone Indy Lights team Davey Hamilton Racing. Horto will pilot the No. 86 car supported by Programa Leilões.
"I'm so happy to have Joao continue with us as we move into the Firestone Indy Lights Series," Juncos said. "The support we have received from Joao and his family with our new project will only help make this new team succeed. I also want to thank everyone involved expanding Juncos Racing into the next level, with special thanks to Doc Wagner, all Juncos Racing crew members, Joao and his family, and my wife and son."