Two Races, One Weekend as Juncos Hollinger Racing Returns to Milwaukee
Juncos Hollinger Racing heads to the Milwaukee Mile this weekend for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ only double-header of the season, with two races, a major partner activation and important championship points on offer at one of the most historic venues in American motorsport.
The team arrives in Wisconsin just days after an incredible weekend for the series in Washington, D.C., where the inaugural Freedom 250 delivered the largest U.S. television audience for an INDYCAR race outside the Indianapolis 500 in nearly 20 years.
An average of 3.282 million viewers watched Sunday’s race on FOX, a 279% increase over the average audience for Sunday non-Indy 500 races on the network last season, with viewership peaking at 3.482 million. The result continued a significant year of audience growth for the championship.
For JHR, the result on track unfortunately failed to match the occasion, with Rinus VeeKay and Sting Ray Robb both eliminated in incidents outside their control. VeeKay had raced from P17 into contention and briefly led, but the DNF saw him drop out of the race and the top 10 in the Drivers’ Championship with three rounds remaining.
The focus now switches from one landmark event in American motorsport to another as INDYCAR returns to the Milwaukee Mile.
First used for racing in 1903, the Milwaukee Mile is the oldest continuously operating motor speedway in the world. This weekend, the 1.015-mile oval will stage two 250-lap races across Saturday and Sunday as the championship reaches its penultimate weekend of the season.
JHR returns with valuable recent knowledge of the circuit after taking part in the test at Milwaukee in July. VeeKay ended the test P2 overall in the No. 76 Chevrolet, providing an encouraging baseline heading into the weekend.
The No. 76 will have additional ground to make up in the opening race after a nine-place starting grid penalty following an engine change ahead of Milwaukee. With three races remaining, VeeKay will be looking to overcome that setback and reclaim a place inside the championship top 10.
The No. 76 will carry the colors of ARCO for the penultimate race weekend of the season, while the No. 77 will have a new look as KONG steps up its partnership with JHR.
Milwaukee marks KONG’s first full primary activation with the team, with a dedicated KONG livery on Robb’s No. 77 Chevrolet accompanied by a significant presence in the INDYCAR Fan Zone throughout the weekend.
With two races in two days, different challenges across the two cars and plenty still at stake in the championship, Milwaukee presents JHR with two opportunities to turn the pace demonstrated at July’s test into results.
Team Perspective
Rinus VeeKay, No. 76 ARCO Chevrolet:
“Obviously a disappointing way to finish last weekend in Washington D.C., especially after the progress we had been making, but that’s part of racing and we have to move forward quickly.
“Milwaukee gives us another opportunity on an oval, and I’m excited to get back to a track where we can really focus on the car and our race pace. We’ve shown some strong speed on the ovals this year, and the team has been working hard to keep building on that. Hopefully we can put together a clean weekend, execute well and fight for another strong result at the Mile.”
Sting Ray Robb, No. 77 KONG Chevrolet:
“After a tough weekend in Washington D.C., I’m excited to get back to racing at Milwaukee. I think the shorter oval presents a great opportunity for us to put together a strong weekend and show the progress we’ve made.
“I’m also really excited to have KONG with us for the doubleheader. Their ‘Dogs Need to Play®’ and the wider 50th anniversary celebrations make this a pretty special weekend.”
Dave O’Neill, Team Principal, Juncos Hollinger Racing:
“Before we look ahead to Milwaukee, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington warrants further plaudits. More than 3.28 million viewers for a race outside the Indy 500 is an incredible number, but when you look beyond that headline there’s a much bigger story about where this series is heading.
“We’re averaging 1.875 million viewers across the season, up 32% year-on-year and 70% compared with 2024. Washington went head-to-head with NASCAR and attracted the bigger audience. Those are important numbers, not just because of what they say about the popularity of INDYCAR, but because increased reach creates opportunities for teams, partners and everyone invested in the championship.
“For teams like ours, the increased visibility is so important. It gives our existing partners a bigger platform and helps us with new conversations commercially.
“Washington showed what is possible when you create an event that reaches beyond the traditional motorsport audience, and FOX deserves enormous credit for the role it is playing in taking INDYCAR to more people.
“From something completely new in Washington to more than 120 years of racing history at Milwaukee. That contrast says a lot about INDYCAR.
“For JHR, there’s a lot at stake this weekend. Rinus has dropped just outside the championship top 10 and we want to put him back there. We know the engine penalty gives us some additional work to do, but we were P2 at the test and we have pace at this track.
“It’s also an important weekend for our partners. We’re delighted to have ARCO back on the No. 76 and to see KONG take over the No. 77 for its first full activation with the team. They’re going to have a major presence in the Fan Zone as well, which is great to see.
“Two races means two opportunities, and we’re determined to make the most of both of them.”