Nicolas Dapero was one of only two drivers to break the Team Pelfrey stranglehold on the Pro Mazda field in 2016 by reaching Victory Lane in the season’s penultimate race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Showing marked improvement as the season went on, the final three races saw Dapero finish third-first-third, helping him to fifth place in the championship.

“I am so excited to move up to the Indy Lights series,” said the 18-year-old. “I’m really excited to keep my career going with Juncos Racing! They are more than a team for me, they are like family.

“We will work harder than ever to be as competitive in each event. I don’t have a doubt that we will be really strong next year. I am really looking forward to a great season and I want to thank all of the people who have made this possible.”

Dapero first joined Juncos Racing’s Driver Development program in the winter of 2015 when he prepared for the Mazda Road to Indy ladder program. The Argentinean tested with the team throughout that year, and made his official debut in the Pro Mazda series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Series Official test.

Team owner Ricardo Juncos stated: [Dapero] proved to be a top driver in the 2016 Pro Mazda Championship finishing on the podium multiple times, and even earning his first win.

“Nico has shown great consistency and always finds a way to improve his skills behind the wheel. I am confident he will have a great rookie season in the Indy Lights series and I look forward to helping him improve at the next level of his racing career.”

Juncos, who guided Spencer Pigot to the 2015 Lights title, ran two cars in the series this year, with Kyle Kaiser finishing third in the title race with two wins and six other podiums.