Juncos Hollinger Racing will stage a series of exhibition runs in Argentina with their IndyCar chassis next month, bringing the series back to the South American country for the first time in 51 years.
The multi-day event will see the car driving through the streets of Buenos Aires, as well as on a couple of the local racing circuits.
JHR co-owner Ricardo Juncos was born in Argentina, and his team carries a large following in his home country. The team as a whole maintains a uniquely diverse heritage as it continues to grow within IndyCar, including the team’s press releases which are often presented in Spanish and English.
The last time an IndyCar was on track in Argentina was in 1971 when the series was known as USAC. Al Unser beat out Lloyd Ruby and won both races held at the Autodromo Ciudad de Rafaela to start the season.
“For many years we have been trying to bring a 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 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.
“As an Argentinean and understanding what motorsport of this hierarchy means, it fills us with pride, the whole Juncos Hollinger Racing team, our friends and all the immense amount of people who in different ways collaborated to make this possible.
“I think this is a very important step forward in terms of promoting IndyCar not only in Argentina, but also in all Latin America and I hope it will be the basis that will allow us in the near future to have our country more involved in the IndyCar Series championship.”
Agustin Canapino is an Argentinian race car driver that has had some links to Juncos in recent years. He recently completed a seat-fitting at the team’s Indianapolis shop, and will perform driving duties throughout the exhibition alongside his promotional role.
It is believed that Canapino is one of the multiple drivers in consideration for the team’s expansion to two cars next season, which will see Callum Ilott gain a team-mate after running his first full season as the team’s only driver.
“For me, to have this chance to be the driver of the Juncos Hollinger Racing NTT IndyCar Series in Argentina is a great privilege, a great honor, and great responsibility for which I have been preparing myself for a long time,” said Canapino.
“I would like to thank Ricardo Juncos, Brad Hollinger, and the entire Juncos Hollinger Racing team, as well as those who have made it possible for the car to come to Argentina.
“I only have words of gratitude, and at the same time I want to invite everyone to come to this incredible event that we will have with the National Tourism in which I will also be competing in the race of two drivers was the big icing on the cake which is the Indy Exhibition. This is not just another car, it’s the team of Argentina.”
Canapino will get to sample the car next week at a private Sebring test before taking part in the event some 4,500 miles to the south.
The exhibition runs will take place between the fourth and ninth of November, and are expected to draw a sizable audience of fans that do not usually have the opportunity to see the cars in person.
