INDIANAPOLIS — Reece Gold and Matteo Nannini have been named to Juncos Hollinger Racing’s INDY NXT driver lineup for the 2023 season.
A former two-time winner of the Indy Lights Championship (now INDY NXT), Juncos Hollinger Racing is returning to the primary IndyCar feeder series after a year pushing for success in other racing categories.
The team made headlines in 2022 through the outstanding performances of rookie Callum Ilott in the NTT IndyCar Series, while also engineering Gold to vice champion status in the Indy Pro 2000 championship, with the team also becoming the 2022 Indy Pro 2000 Team Champions.
With momentum on their side, Juncos Hollinger Racing owners Ricardo Juncos and Brad Hollinger have taken the decision to re-enter the INDY NXT arena in the hope of adding to the team’s impressive record of two driver championships, 18 wins, 30 podiums and 16 pole positions in the category.
The driver pairing of Gold and Nannini is one that blends immense U.S. and European racing experience.
Gold, who will drive the No. 76 Ticket Clinic car, joins the INDY NXT grid after spending the last two seasons earning a formidable reputation in the Indy Pro 2000 series where he scored five wins, 14 podiums and seven pole positions.
The 18-year-old Miami native feels he’s ready to challenge himself in INDY NXT and is looking forward to working with JHR for the third consecutive season.
“I am happy to be staying with Juncos Hollinger racing for INDY NXT in 2023,” Gold said. “I have had two great seasons with JHR in Indy Pro 2000, with this past season being our best, picking up four wins and second in the championship. We have already shown great progress in testing for 2023 and I am looking forward to the season. Thank you to The Ticket Clinic and everyone at Juncos Hollinger Racing for their support.”
Meanwhile, the 2023 season will give Nannini his first taste of single-seater racing in the U.S. The Italian-Argentinian impressed Juncos Hollinger Racing during a Chris Griffis Memorial Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and has now committed to driving the team’s No. 75 machine.
“I am very excited to have confirmed with Juncos Hollinger Racing after the positive tests last year,” Nannini said. “It’s a great opportunity to be able to race in America and I don’t want to waste it. I have great respect for Ricardo and I’m sure we could do great things together. INDY NXT is the best springboard to continue my journey towards IndyCar. I thank the people who are helping me especially my business partner for making this possible.”
Juncos is looking forward to getting the new season underway in a championship that has attracted new teams and a host of fresh driving talent.
“First of all, I’m so excited coming back to INDY NXT after a year away in 2022, which allowed us to focus on our IndyCar program as we became a full-time operation,” Juncos said. “After 14 years we decided to close our Indy Pro 2000 program, to allow us to create a solid INDY NXT program with two really good drivers, and to expand to two cars in INDYCAR. We achieved many wins and two championships over six years, in what was previously known as Indy Lights, and we are excited to come back and continue building on those achievements.”