The Remarkable Story Of An IndyCar Team Overcoming A Transporter Fire

The IndyCar Paddock fiercely fights each other on the race track in the heat of battle. But when a team experiences misfortunate away from the track, IndyCar teams and the series rally each other to help those that are impacted.

That was the case this week involving Juncos-Hollinger Racing.

On the way back from last weekend’s IndyCar doubleheader at Iowa Speedway, the transporter carrying Sting Ray Robb’s car and equipment caught on fire.

According to Chevrolet and the team, here are the details of what happened with a timeline as the team’s crew, their competitors, their partners and the series to come together to help them make the race this weekend.

The Timeline

Sunday evening at 7 pm: The transporter carrying Sting Ray Robb’s No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, suffered a fire on the trip back from the Iowa Speedway to the team’s shop in downtown Speedway, Indiana, which caused fire, smoke and water damage to the equipment and cars.

Sunday, starting at midnight through Monday: Between friends and the team, three trailers were dispatched to begin bringing back damaged items, which the non-competition team members set out on tables to dry and start assessing what was salvageable.

Monday – The crews for the No. 76 and No. 77 joined together to rebuild the No. 76, while they assessed the damage to Robb’s car.

Tuesday – Both crews’ attention turned to the No. 77, rebuilding the car, which suffered crash damage in the second race at Iowa Speedway.

Wednesday – The transporters, including the Juncos Hollinger Racing INDY NXT by Firestone trailer, began the trip north to Toronto.

The Reaction

“We had the situation with the trailer on fire, and it was a huge amount of work overload for everyone at the team,” Juncos Hollinger team owner Ricardo Juncos said. “But we knew that we needed to work, with no options and things like that could happen.

“So, it actually was good to see the whole team spirit with that moment, when things like that happen. I’m really, really happy with them because what I saw as a team owner, it was mega. Mega! The chemistry, everybody helping each other, at that time was just one team pushing forward, and it was amazing to see. So, that’s one side

“On the other side, is all the support from IndyCar. Every single team called us, called me right away, offering trailers, equipment, and whatever.

“From Roger Penske to the last team owner, then the series itself, Dallara, Chevy, I mean, you name it. Even, a lot of fans as well, and that was really, really good to see as a team owner.”

The Drivers

String Ray Robb was back in action for Friday’s IndyCar practice session on the streets of Toronto as he prepares for this Sunday’s Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto.

“I’m appreciative (of the crew), but I’m more impressed, honestly, from what I’ve seen when these kinds of things happen and it knocks its team out completely,” Robb said. “But they showed up Monday morning at 8.m. and they were there until about midnight, putting everything back the way it should be. My car still smells like a smoke bomb went off in it, but everything is as it should be.

“Largely in part to the fire department doing their job when they got the call and the state trooper doing his job to call the fire department ahead of time and everyone that was involved, I think they’re the reason that we’re here today.

“So, to the first responders, thank you and then to the team, thank you.”

Teammate Conor Daly also spoke about how the whole team was impacted by the fire, especially coming during a crucial five-races-in-four-weekends schedule.

“Honestly it certainly is not helpful for us,” Daly said. “I think you know mainly for just the crews that have been already working non-stop every weekend and showing up no matter what and showing up when the hours are added to the schedule to clean out a fire.

“That’s crazy so we appreciate them.

“There’s no easy way to go about it. We are at a tough spot, and we are just going to try our best to bounce back and get through it.”