When Juncos Hollinger Racing named Agustin Canapino as one of its two full-time drivers in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the 2023 season, only the most knowledgeable North American race fans knew of him.
That’s far from the case in his native Argentina, where Canapino is a racing rock star after winning four season championships (2010, 2017, 2018, 2019) in Argentina’s premier touring car championship, the Turismo Carretera. And he’s coming home to race this weekend.
Canapino, 33, will race once again in the series where he made his legend in Argentina and attracted the eye of fellow countryman and Juncos Hollinger Racing co-owner Ricardo Juncos. Canapino will drive in the 10th round of the Turismo Carretera racing on Aug. 19-20 at the Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez in Buenos Aries, where he still holds the track-record lap for the series. That record could be in jeopardy, though, as the eight-turn, 3.503-mile natural road course was recently resurfaced.
“It is a beautiful opportunity to return to the family of Turismo Carretera and see all of the amazing fans once again,” said Canapino, whose nickname is “The Titan” to his legions of Argentine supporters. “Buenos Aires is the ‘cathedral of motorsports,’ as we call it, and since the track’s renovations, it will be more than special to race there again. It was also the place where I was able to secure my first championship title at the age of 20, back in 2010, and everything changed for me from that day onward.”
Canapino will drive a Chevrolet fielded by the JP Carrera team in the signature black-and-green colors of JHR and carry his NTT INDYCAR SERIES number, 78. Fans can watch the 25-lap race at 12:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 20 at motorplay.tv.
“For Agustín to race again in the TC, being an INDYCAR driver, is a priceless opportunity that presented itself very beautifully,” team co-owner Juncos said. “It deserves everyone’s support, and that’s why (team co-owner) Brad Hollinger and I did not hesitate to allow Agustín to participate in Buenos Aires and at the five TC races that complete the 2023 season.”
Canapino will return to America next week to compete in the next NTT INDYCAR SERIES race, the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 presented by Axalta and Valvoline on Sunday, Aug. 27 at World Wide Technology Raceway. But until then, he will bask in the glow of his home crowds and status as a returning hero.
“I feel very proud to see Agustín again in Turismo Carretera,” JP Carrera team director Gustavo Lema said. “He is our ambassador; he is the Messi of motorsport.”