The Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) team and its driver Agustin Canapino have ended their association after one and a half years, with immediate effect. The sudden and unexpected news arrives in the backdrop of controversies that surrounded Canapino in recent months.
Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) announced Aug. 7 it is mutually parting company with driver Agustin Canapino, effective immediately. Canapino, 34, jumped from winning multiple touring car championships in his native Argentina to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with JHR in 2023.
Agustin Canapino will return to the No. 78 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet for the rest of the season starting at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on Sunday, June 23 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, team officials announced June 12.
Kiko Porto will replace championship contender Nolan Siegel in the No. 39 HMD Motorsports car for the remainder of the INDYNXT by Firestone Grand Prix of Road America weekend, as Siegel is focusing at this event on his NTT INDYCAR SERIES drive with Juncos Hollinger Racing.
Colton Herta led the opening practice Friday morning for the Sonsio Grand Prix on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, which isn’t surprising. After all, Herta leads the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings and won this event in 2022 for Andretti Global.
Leandro Juncos, the 18-year-old son of NTT INDYCAR SERIES team owner Ricardo Juncos, shoulders a unique responsibility for such a young age. Leandro holds two jobs for two different race teams, and both compete this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.
The first lap of last year’s season-ending NTT INDYCAR SERIES race saw five cars tangling in Turn 2. Rookie Agustin Canapino was not driving one of them.