On Tuesday, Juncos Hollinger Racing made an impactful announcement. The organization, in hopes of sparking interest for the NTT IndyCar Series to make a return to Argentina, will take their No. 77 NTT IndyCar Series car to the Circuit of Buenos Aires for a set of driving demonstrations.
The IndyCar demos in Argentina will run between November 4th and November 9th and the car will be piloted by Argentinean driver Agustín Canapino.
It has been more than five decades, 51 years to be exact since an NTT IndyCar Series car took to a racetrack in Argentina. For JHR’s co-owner Ricardo Juncos, the opportunity to be the driving force of bringing IndyCar back to Argentina is incredible.
“For many years we have been trying to bring an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car to Argentina and today to be in the position to officially announce the car will be returning for an exhibition after 51 years is amazing,” said JHR Co-owner and Team Principal Juncos. “This gives us a lot of pride as Argentineans and for all that this means.
“Since we are linked to Chevrolet in the United States and to have Agustin Canapino as the driver will be one of the greatest moments of motorsports in our community. When Alberto Canapino was with us at the 24 Hours of Daytona, we thought of what a great moment this would be to see Agustin in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car and from that point on, on my promise that is what we were going to make happen. Regardless of the team and effort it would take, today it is a reality and I am sure Alberto would be so proud of this moment.”
The legendary Al Unser, who passed away in December of last year, captured victory in the last NTT IndyCar race ever held in Argentina. Unser led 48 of the 53 laps in the USAC Rafaela Indy 300 as he crossed the finish line ahead of Lloyd Ruby.
While the exhibition in Argentina is an exciting event, and could honestly prove to be a groundbreaking event that once again brings IndyCar back to Argentina, Juncos explains that it would never have been possible if not for a lot of collaboration by a lot of important and influential people.
“To make this all possible, many people and companies have been involved,” said Juncos. “I am very grateful for the government of the Providence of Santiago del Estero, through the Governor Gerardo Zamora and Emanuel Moriatis, the President of the Turismo National series, who opened the doors allowing us to be a part of this great event. Also, Juan Carlos Lucio Godoy, the President of Rio Uruguay Seguros, one of the companies that have been supporting us for several years, Agustin Canapino, Chevrolet and General Motors of USA, Firestone, Luis Angel Machi the owner of Michelangelo who allowed us to hold this event that will take place on Friday before the exhibition, and to the President and CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. Mark Miles and INDYCAR President Jay Frye, and the Governor of Indiana Eric Holcomb.
“Through all of these people and companies this would have not been possible to show the fans of Argentina an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car on track running at the Autodromo of Buenos Aires and then at the Autodromo de Termas de Rio Hondo in Santiago del Estero.”
Canapino, who will be piloting the car in his home country, drove a DPi for Juncos Racing in the WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2019.
The 32-year old driver won the championship in the Top Race V6, a touring car race series held in Argentina, every year between 2011 and 2017. The driver was also awarded the Olimpia de Oro in 2018. That award is given to the best Argentine sportsman of the year.
