By: Spencer Neff
February 28, 2023

Completing our look at the rookie drivers of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, today we profile Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Agustin Canapino.

Following a distinguished career in South America, he follows some of INDYCAR’s newest stars in moving to open-wheels.

Promising Start

Canapino, the son of famed racing mechanic Albert, began his racing career at the age of 15 in a Renault one-make.

During his first season of full-time racing, he accumulated three wins on his way to a fourth-place finish in the Renault Megane Cup Argentina.

In 2007, Canapino won his first championship in the series on the strength of six victories.

For 2008, he won two races in both TC Pista Argentina (champion) and Top Race V6 Argentina (11th).

In 2010, Canapino won the Turismo Carretera Argentina championship in his sophomore campaign.

A year later, he won the first of three consecutive Top Race V6 Argentina championships.

Championship Pedigree

Following a dozen wins across multiple Argentine touring car series in 2015, Canapino won championships in Top Race V6 Argentina and Super TC2000.

2017 would see the beginning of another championship three-peat for the Arrecifes, Argentina native.

In 2018, Canapino was awarded the Olimpia de Oro-Argentina’s premier individual sports award. Camapino joined Formula 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio as the only racing drivers.

In 2019, Canapino also made his first outings in sports cars. Teaming with Juncos’ INDYCAR drivers Kyle Kaiser and Rene Binder, he entered the 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring.

During the 2020s, Canapino added 15 victories across touring car series. The 15-time national champion notched another championship in the Super TC2000 Series in 2021 to add to his illustrious career.

Switching Gears

After finishing third in both the Turismo Carretera Argentina and the Super TC2000 during the 2022, Canapino would be given opportunities with Juncos to showcase INDYCAR to his native Argentina.

Canapino ran demo laps at both the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez in Buenos Aires and Circuit of Termas de Rio Hondo in Santiago del Estero.

The event not only gave Canapino seat time in an open-wheel car but gave the nation their first taste of INDYCAR since 1971, when the series ran at Autódromo Ciudad de Rafaela in 1971 (Rafaela, Santa Fe).

Two months later, Canapino was announced by Juncos Hollinger as the driver of the No. 78. Canapino will drive alongside Callum Ilott (No.77).

It is the first time since their 2017 debut at the Indianapolis 500 that Juncos will run multiple cars.

“For me, this is a great opportunity, so I am very grateful to Ricardo Juncos, Brad Hollinger, and all the sponsors that are making this possible,” Canapino noted in the January 19 announcement.

“I’m going to do my best in every moment to get the best possible results.”

“I’m going in with my mind set on learning and going step-by-step, but I’m also focused on evolving throughout the season. The goal is to finish the races, get to know the car, and the circuits – especially the ovals.”

Team Co-Owner Ricardo Juncos, himself a native of Argentina, echoed the excitement for Canapino’s impending arrival.

“With a very successful racing career in Argentina behind him, he exceeded all expectations when he trained at Sebring, and he’s confirmed that talent with what we’ve seen in his driving since<” Juncos remarked.

Car co-owner Brad Hollinger echoed Juncos’ praise for Canapino.

“Agustin brings an unparalleled level of success in multiple race series to the team” he remarked.

“His ability to adapt is exceptional and the significant experience he has accumulated winning multiple championships will complement Callum and the team nicely. We look forward to competing at the tip of the arrow this year with the goal of multiple podiums.”

Following a similar path to recent INDYCAR Rookies of the Year Scott McLaughlin (2021) and Robert WIckens (2018), Canapino hopes to go from touring car success and make a name for himself in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.

Header Image By Joe Skibinski/INDYCAR

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