Juncos Racing will make the step to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, with the veteran open-wheel squad announcing plans to field a Cadillac DPi-V.R for the full 2019 season.

Drivers for the Indianapolis-based team’s new sports car racing program have yet to be named.

Team principal Ricardo Juncos, who made a visit to the IMSA paddock at Road America earlier this month, has shared keen interest in adding a top-level prototype program to his operation, following its success in the Mazda Road to Indy ranks.

The team currently fields entries in Pro Mazda, Indy Lights as well as the Verizon IndyCar Series, having recorded nine championships and 58 wins over the last ten years.

“Our entry into the top class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship represents a significant step forward for our company and also bolsters the depth and technical acumen of our teams,” Juncos said.

“We are also excited and humbled by the partnership with Cadillac and look forward to representing the Cadillac brand in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

“Cadillac has a proven history of winning and performance within IMSA and provides Juncos Racing with a championship caliber partner to begin its entry into DPi.”

Delivery of the Cadillac DPi is set for the beginning of November, with testing to start in December.

The addition of Juncos means there will be at least six of the Dallara-built cars for the WeatherTech Championship next year, alongside the pair of recently announced JDC-Miller Motorsports Cadillac DPis and the expected returns of Action Express Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing, as well as a possible program for Spirit of Daytona.

“The Cadillac Racing family continues to grow thanks to strong on-track performances by each team that has campaigned the DPi-V.R in its first two seasons of competition,” said Cadillac Racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser.

“The addition of Juncos Racing brings more top-tier talent to Cadillac’s DPi-V.R program and more excitement to the IMSA grid.”

Atherton: Top-Tier Teams’ Commitments to DPi the “Ultimate Validation”

IMSA President Scott Atherton says the addition of Juncos, as well as other recent developments, has brought “ultimate validation” to DPi and its decision to split off the LMP2 category.

At least ten DPis are now expected to be on the grid full-time next year, taking into account expected entries from Mazda and Acura Team Penske.

“The accomplishments of Ricardo and his Juncos Racing team are impressive – especially having been achieved in such a relatively short period of time,” Atherton said.

“He is an inspiration for the entire industry. We are pleased and honored by the news of Juncos Racing coming into IMSA along with our partners at Cadillac Racing.

“Having top-tier teams continue to invest in IMSA and our DPi class is the ultimate validation. This is good news for all involved, but especially our fans.”