The Juncos Hollinger Racing IndyCar outfit and its 34-year-old Argentine driver Agustin Canapino are splitting with 5 races remaining within the 2024 season.
Canapino was within the midst of a sophomore marketing campaign, which was impacted with off-track drama that led to him sitting out the IndyCar Collection spherical at Street America in June. The crew cited psychological well being causes.
“After a momentous rookie and second season in IndyCar, Juncos Hollinger Racing and Agustin Canapino have mutually determined to half methods,” learn an announcement from the crew.
“We commend Agustin for taking the leap into open wheel racing with us over the past yr and a half, not solely studying a very new model of racing from his spectacular and storied profession, but in addition shifting to the US and studying the language to affix our sequence.
“Each Agustin and the crew have labored tirelessly to study, develop, and succeed all through his time at JHR, and we’re extraordinarily happy with what we’ve achieved collectively.
“We thank Agustin for his time at Juncos Hollinger Racing and can be cheering him on as he continues his journey. Gracias, Agustin!”
Canapino 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.
The scenario led to the termination of a strategic alliance between Juncos Hollinger Racing and Arrow McLaren, which was fashioned in October 2023.
It was the third time a driver flagged social media abuse after a run-in with Canapno, with Callum Ilott sharing his testimony after a number of clashes whereas the 2 have been team-mates through the 2023 season.
Agustin Canapino, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Pictures
The incident with Pourchaire ultimately led to an announcement by Canapino condemning on-line abuse, together with returning after a one-race hiatus.
He competed within the subsequent 5 races after sitting out Street America, however a first-lap exit after a conflict with Chip Ganassi Racing’s Scott Dixon on the Streets of Toronto marked his final act with the crew and capped off a run of 5 consecutive finishes of 18th or worse – with the final 4 outcomes being twenty second or decrease.
When requested by Motorsport.com about his season in Toronto, which proved to be his ultimate race, Canapino appeared upbeat and believed he was in a “good scenario to complete the yr” alongside team-mate Romain Grosjean.
“This yr was an enormous enchancment for us – for the crew and me too” he mentioned, declaring top-10 qualifying performances at Iowa and Toronto. “Sadly, I had some again luck throughout this yr.”
A multi-time Argentine touring automobile champion, Canapino’s tenure with Juncos Hollinger Racing involves an finish after 28 profession begins, with a greatest end of twelfth (4 occasions – St. Petersburg, 2023, Texas 2023, Toronto 2023, Detroit 2024). He additionally completed tenth in the primary occasion of the non-points exhibition at The Thermal Membership in March earlier this yr.
A substitute driver for the 5 races left within the season has but to be named.
