Rookie Agustin Canapino looks to help Juncos Hollinger Racing by staying in the top-22 standings. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
PORTLAND, Ore. – The fight for who will get the Leader’s Circle bonus money is on as the battle within a battle has come down to its final two rounds, beginning with Portland this weekend.
Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Agustin Canapino knows what is on the line as the top-22 teams that compete all 17 rounds in the NTT IndyCar Series will receive a million-dollar bonus.
Heading into the BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland, the Chevrolet-powered No. 78 team sits 21st in the Leader’s Circle standings. They are five points above the cutoff line as he will have to fend off several organizations with far bigger budgets.
For starters, JHR’s No. 78 team are two points ahead of Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 60 team. On the outside looking in are Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s No. 30 team and Andretti Steinbrenner Racing’s No. 29 team, those two are a point apart.
When it comes down to it, there is a lot at stake for Canapino to remain in the top-22 and Portland could not have come at a perfect time. Last year, Callum Ilott finished ninth at the 1.964-mile road course, something Canapino would like to achieve but his mind right now is assuring both cars earn the bonus.
“I wish I could be in the top-10 because the team and my performance are improving,” Canapino told The Podium Finish. “We need to do our best to finish the season in the Leader’s Circle to gain a million dollars and guaranteed to continue next year. My first goal is to beat the other cars who are battling with me for the Leader’s Circle.”
It will certainly come a long way for all parties as Canapino hopes to improve in all facets of his career as the jump from touring cars in Argentina to INDYCAR is a night-and-day difference.
After 15 rounds, JHR has two top-10 finishes with Ilott bringing home both of them, including a team-best fifth at the season opener in St. Petersburg. As for the 33-year-old rookie, a trio of 12th place finishes in St. Pete, Texas, and Toronto are his best outings.
“I have to go to another level because INDYCAR is the most demanding series in the world,” Canapino said. “I drove my entire life touring cars, so it’s totally different and the step is really big. The level of the drivers here is really high. We have the majority of the best drivers in the world, so the competition is really tough here.
“I have to change my entire life – my physical, my mind, my discipline and improve my (English) language. Everything is a big change for me.”
Canapino during the GMR Grand Prix at Indianapolis in May where he finished 21st. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
Since his 16th place finish at Iowa, Canapino hasn’t finished above 20th and after finishing two laps behind Scott Dixon at Gateway, performance is paramount. But one topic that’s had the paddock buzzing was last Sunday’s race being the debut of Firestone’s alternative set on the ovals.
Drivers such as Ryan Hunter-Reay and Rinus VeeKay did not feel it was much of a big deal than it was set out to be. Despite never racing at the 1.25-mile oval, Canapino did not really see much changes on the on-track action and hopes INDYCAR can learn from this and improve on the racing at Gateway.
“It’s only the beginning and I think next year will be better because we need a more interesting race. We need to do something different because Gateway is impossible to overtake when you’re in line,” said Canapino. “Iowa is different, you can overtake every line because tire wear is massive, and you have different lines to use. The series needs to analyze what happened and try to offer drivers and teams some alternatives to make some difference during the race and have a more interesting race.”
Action aside, when Canapino was tapped as JHR’s second driver, he became the first full-time Indy car racer from Argentina since Juan Manuel Fangio II in 1997. Although the gap between Argentinean racers was huge, the popularity of auto racing in Argentina never changed.
Of course, it has a rich history in open wheel racing with Juan Manuel Fangio ruling Formula One throughout the 1950s, winning five World Championships and 24 grand prix wins. Just very few have broke through outside of the country with Canapino being one those men.
If there is one thing he has learned thus far in his INDYCAR career, the technological advancements are second to none.
“Motorsports in my country is really important and competitive, but we don’t have the money, economy or tools to work on the cars,” said Canapino. “We are a poor country and here, we have the most ultimate technology, cars, and everything. It’s another level of racing.”
Canapino storming into Turn 1 at Indianapolis. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
More than ever, Canapino’s presence in INDYCAR have not gone unnoticed. As proven with the strong legions of fans in his home country and throughout the Month of May at Indianapolis. Canapino sported the Argentinean colors to commemorate the football club’s 2022 FIFA World Cup championship.
Canapino recalls that amazing feeling and hopes he can continue growing the sport for his country in the future.
“The thing is in my country, they love motorsports. A lot of us are blessed to have a driver in the highest level of motorsports in the world. It’s good to see an Argentinean driver and see what he can do,” said Canapino. “Everybody there is really happy with this opportunity, but I want to do a better job in the races. I want to battle for a top-10 or top-five in the future, but I need more time. I need to continue my improvement and the team too. It’s the newest and smallest team on the grid, so we need time.”
Argentina loves their racing and soccer as seen with Canapino’s livery during the 107th Indianapolis 500. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
A goal of Canapino is continuing to grow auto racing, not just for Argentina but also in the United States. He has seen the audience growing, but would like to increase it much more smilar to what Lionel Messi is doing right now for Major League Soccer as business is booming since joining Inter Miami this summer.
When asked about Messi’s immediate impact in the United States, he could not be any prouder.
“Messi is Messi. The place he’s in will be massive growing because he’s the best player ever,” said Canapino. “He’s a world champion, so it’s really good news for soccer in America and he looks really happy. He suffered a lot in France and now he’s enjoying it a lot. It’s the best way to see the final part of his career, so I hope he enjoys this part of his career. We love Messi.”
Coverage of Sunday’s BITNILE.com Grand Prix of Portland begins at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. Canapino currently sits 21st in the overall championship standings and trailing Marcus Armstrong by 20 points for INDYCAR Rookie of the Year honors.
