The Juncos Hollinger Racing team has announced that Agustin Canapino will continue to race in IndyCar for a second season with the team.
Agustin Canapino proved to be one of the standout drivers in the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season, and the Argentine will have the chance to carry on what he picked up at Juncos Hollinger Racing with an opportunity to race for the team once more in 2024.
The 33-year-old Argentinian made his top-tier open-wheel championship debut this year after racing in touring and stock car racing for 19 years. He performed exceptionally despite having little experience with single-seaters.
As opposed to several of his rookie rivals who skipped the ovals, Canapino raced throughout the entire season. Having a best placed start of 18th and a best race finish of 12th, both of which he attained in his debut, he finished 21st overall.
The negative aspects were few and mostly not Canapino’s fault. The only negative was the ugly social media attacks on Ilott and his family by some of Canapino’s fans following the Long Beach and Laguna Seca races, which cast a shadow on all of the positives.
The other negative was a crash at the Indianapolis 500 while his No. 78 Chevy was decorated as the World Cup-winning Argentina national football team.
Canapino thanked Brad Hollinger and Ricardo Juncos who are the team’s owners, for their ongoing support.
“I am very happy to announce my continuation for 2024 in IndyCar with Juncos Hollinger Racing,” Canapino said.
“Many thanks to Ricardo and Brad for continuing to place their trust in me, and also to Hector Martinez Sosa and the Grupo Empresario Prieto for supporting me. See you in St. Petersburg aboard the No. 78.
“After an incredible 2023 season, where we achieved good results, entered the Leaders Circle, and consistently delivered strong performances, all in my first year in a single-seater,” he added.
“I am filled with joy and motivation to have the opportunity to keep growing as a driver and contribute to the continuous and remarkable evolution of the team.”
The future of Canapino with JHR was in doubt due to Argentina’s shifting political and economic circumstances, even though the team co-owned by Canapino’s countryman Ricardo Juncos and American Brad Hollinger wanted to remain with the 15-time touring car champion.
The possibilities of the IndyCar series visiting South America soon are now higher as a result of Canapino’s efforts. Although Brazil was once a stop on the IndyCar schedule, Argentina has not hosted a race since 1971.
This week’s Tuesday morning was scheduled to be the day when Canapino’s contract extension with Juncos would be made public, but it was postponed a day owing to technical issues.
Canapino won the Renault Megane Cup, the TC Pista series, four Turismo Carretera championships, seven Top Race V6 championships, and two TC2000 championships in his own country before being promoted to the IndyCar series.
He has participated in Stock Car Brasil and IMSA’s premier DPi class for prototype sports cars.
