Indianapolis, Ind. – Juncos Racing announced today that the reigning Indy Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Cooper Tires champion Rinus VeeKay would return to the team for the 2019 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires Championship. VeeKay is the first driver named to the championship-winning Indy Lights team line-up.

VeeKay , from Hoofddorp, Netherlands, will continue his run with Juncos Racing after a very successful season capturing the 2018 Indy Pro 2000 (formerly the Pro Mazda) Championship, recording 10 podiums, six poles, and seven wins. By claiming the title, VeeKay was awarded the Mazda scholarship and will make his move up to the final step of the Road to Indy ladder joining the Indy Lights series.

“I really feel at home with Juncos Racing, “said VeeKay. “I think I can improve my performance and get better with this team, and that is extremely important for my next goal, the IndyCar Series. It’s also great to see that the team work extremely hard for me. Last season they proved that, after a setback, they can come back better than ever before and that they do everything they can to be successful. The 2015 and 2017 Indy Lights titles prove that. I’m really looking forward to work together with Ricardo and his team again and to being successful together. I would also like to thank Jumbo, La Place and KNAF Talent First for their ongoing support. I’m also really proud to represent Mazda in the Indy Lights next season as their last scholarship winner.”

VeeKay began testing the Dallara IL-15 with Juncos Racing at the 2018 Chris Griffis Test and the recently completed the Road to Indy Open Test at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Team Owner, Ricardo Juncos said, “We are thrilled to have Rinus continue with our team for the 2019 Indy Lights season after an extremely successful year in Pro Mazda. Rinus has proved that he is ready for the next level of the Road to Indy through his work ethic both on and off the track. The level of training he goes through and the time he commits to developing himself as a driver shows the dedication and passion he has to take his career to the next level. We developed a great relationship throughout the 2018 season and look forward to carrying that momentum into next year. I would like to thank Rinus, his family, and sponsors for their commitment to Juncos Racing."

The 2019 Indy Lights Championship kicks off March 8-10 with Rounds 1 and 2 on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.