Juncos Hollinger Racing has revealed its intention to return to Indy NXT, the leading development series for IndyCar, in the 2026 season. This announcement comes after the team’s sudden withdrawal from Indy NXT in February 2025, shortly before that season began, as they shifted focus due to resource constraints.
Background on Juncos Hollinger Racing‘s Recent Decisions
The team, known for its Argentinian–American ownership, cited a strategic choice behind its mid-February exit from Indy NXT. Financial limitations made it impossible to run a full season, prompting the team to prioritize its efforts toward the IndyCar series. At the time, Juncos Hollinger Racing explained:
“Our commitment to excellence in motorsport requires us to make strategic decisions that align with our brand values. While we have made the difficult choice to pause our INDY NXT program, this decision allows us to concentrate our resources where they can be most effective.”
—Juncos Hollinger Racing statement
The early exit affected drivers like Miguel Maria Garcia, who lost his scheduled seat for the 2025 Indy NXT season. Financial challenges had also limited the participation of other drivers in 2024, as neither Lindsay Brewer nor Ricardo Escotto completed the full 14-race schedule with the team.
Renewed Commitment to Indy NXT in 2026
Despite the disruption, Juncos Hollinger Racing appears to have resolved its difficulties, setting a strong course for a return to the Indy NXT stage in 2026. Ricardo Juncos, team founder and co-owner, expressed enthusiasm about this development. He stated:
“I’m very happy to announce our return to Indy NXT. Since 2015, we’ve enjoyed great success in this series, helping develop many talented drivers through our program. Now, after completing our fourth consecutive season in IndyCar, we believe we can offer an even stronger pathway through our NXT team.
—Ricardo Juncos, co-owner
By combining our proven track record in NXT with the experience we’ve gained in IndyCar – not only on the sporting side, but also in technical development and R&D – we’re creating a significant advantage for our program. Our primary focus is to give our drivers every tool they need to rise to the pinnacle of IndyCar.”
—Ricardo Juncos, co-owner
At present, Juncos Hollinger Racing has not disclosed its 2026 driver lineup for either the Indy NXT or IndyCar series.
Contenders for Juncos Hollinger Racing’s IndyCar Seats in 2026
The team’s two available IndyCar seats for 2026 remain open after Conor Daly and Sting Ray Robb completed single-season contracts. Both drivers had been expected to bring significant sponsorship support to secure their roles. Although Sting Ray Robb maintained strong backing, Conor Daly faced a setback when a key sponsor, Polkadot, withdrew a planned $3.5 million investment shortly before the 2025 season.
Despite this, Daly adapted by securing alternative sponsors during the season and performed notably well, especially on oval tracks. However, his position is under threat as he competes with other drivers for a seat in 2026. Among Daly’s challengers are Caoi Collet from HMD Motorsports’ Indy NXT team and Linus Lundqvist, a former driver with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Meanwhile, Sting Ray Robb is anticipated to retain his No. 77 car seat for the upcoming season, keeping some continuity in the team’s lineup as it prepares for the future.
Significance of the Return and What to Expect Moving Forward
Juncos Hollinger Racing’s return to Indy NXT represents a strategic effort to strengthen its developmental pipeline and leverage its growing expertise from four consecutive IndyCar seasons. By reinvesting in the feeder series, the team aims to refine its driver development program and improve technical capabilities, potentially enhancing competitiveness at the highest level.
This move also signals a more stable outlook following challenges over the past two years, particularly with financial backing and driver continuity. The 2026 season will be closely watched to see how effectively Juncos Hollinger balances its dual focus on nurturing young talent and sustaining its IndyCar presence.
