There’s a risk of Agustin Canapino returning to the IndyCar Sequence as a part of a one-off effort in a 3rd entry with Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) for the 2025 version of the Indianapolis 500.
The 34-year-old Argentine mutually parted methods with JHR final month after a string of 5 consecutive finishes of 18th or worse – with the final 4 outcomes being twenty second or decrease – that put the No. 78 Chevrolet entry one spot out of the highest 22 of the coveted $1 million Leaders Circle.
The crew elected to name on Conor Daly as his substitute for the ultimate 5 races and has since elevated the entry to nineteenth within the Leaders Circle standings, with this weekend’s season finale at Nashville Superspeedway the one impediment to safe the prize cash.
It was no secret that the drama adopted Canapino, a multi-time touring automobile champion in his dwelling nation, all through his quick tenure in North America’s premier open-wheel championship. Earlier this 12 months, he was on the middle of controversy for his actions on social media that included an announcement rejecting claims that his supporters threatened rivals, which got here in wake of colliding with intermittent Arrow McLaren rookie Theo Pourchaire on the Detroit Grand Prix. That resulted in backlash that left him sitting out of the next spherical at Highway America, with the crew citing psychological well being causes. The incident with Pourchaire ultimately led to an announcement by Canapino condemning on-line abuse.
Benjamin Pedersen, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet, Agustín Canapino, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photos
By then, although, the state of affairs already led to the termination of a strategic alliance between Juncos Hollinger Racing and Arrow McLaren, which was shaped in October 2023.
It was the third time a driver flagged social media abuse after a run-in with Canapino, with Callum Ilott sharing his testimony after a number of clashes (Lengthy Seashore, Laguna Seca) whereas the 2 have been teammates throughout the 2023 season.
Though Canapino scored a finest end of twelfth on 4 events (2023 – St. Petersburg, Texas, Toronto; 2024 – Detroit) in 28 profession begins, he was in competition for a prime 10 – presumably prime 5 outing – at this 12 months’s Indy 500 earlier than it was negated by a rushing violation on the ultimate pit cease on lap 173 of 200.
Agustín Canapino, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Photos
Contemplating that efficiency, the query was posed to JHR co-owner Ricardo Juncos if he would entertain bringing again Canapino as a part of a 3rd entry of the Indy 500.
“It is too early for that, however something can occur,” Juncos advised Motorsport.com.
“I at all times say the identical factor: 22 years in the past I had nothing in Argentina, I used to be broke. And look the place we’re at the moment. On the earth and in life, issues occur for the higher and for the more serious. Alternatives seem once you least count on it.
“Clearly, what Agustín did within the 500 miles, each years, he confirmed excessive pace working alone, he confirmed technical management which is essential to guide the engineer, which is what is required within the automobile to be quick relating to qualifying as he did this 12 months. After which within the race I feel Agustin did the whole lot proper. He made the error of getting into the pits like (Scott) Dixon has, that’s, champion drivers have made the identical mistake sooner or later of their sports activities careers. So we will not blame him for something both.
“Sadly luck was missing, however Agustín was able to struggle the race.
“Are you able to think about that if we could possibly be within the state of affairs of placing collectively a 3rd automobile and Agustin was out there, desirous to race, individually we’re transferring ahead and one by no means is aware of, however effectively, there’s a lengthy strategy to go. I feel now we have to go step-by-step, think about what’s coming within the quick time period and from there see what destiny has in retailer.”
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