#77 – Callum Ilott, sixteenth in championship standings (266 factors) – 17 races
0 wins, 0 podium, 2 high fives, 3 high 10s, 0 poles, 0 Quick Six Appearances
Greatest End: fifth (St. Petersburg, Laguna Seca)
Greatest Begin: eighth (Portland)
#78 – Agustín Canapino, twenty first in championship standings (180 factors) – 17 races
0 wins, 0 podiums, 0 high fives, 0 high 10s, 0 poles, 0 Quick Six Appearances
Greatest End: Twelfth (St. Petersburg, Texas, Toronto)
Greatest Begin: 18th (Toronto* – certified thirteenth at Laguna Seca however began nineteenth with grid penalties)
Joey Barnes: In case you had been to look again at Ilott’s rookie season in 2022 with JHR, there was hope of taking a giant step in 2023. Whereas there have been some actually sturdy positives at occasions, I feel that potential was capped with the enlargement of two full-time entries and a rookie in Canapino that was adjusting to open wheel racing. Normally, rising horizontally means sacrificing these vertical good points within the brief time period. That mentioned, there was nonetheless quite a bit to be impressed by this previous season.
Ilott bookended the yr with a pair of career-best fifth-place finishes and scored yet one more high 10 (three) than his rookie marketing campaign. He encountered extra drama than wanted on the Indianapolis 500, the place he finally swapped out the first automobile for the backup to make the race and climb from twenty seventh to a good Twelfth. General, it was progress however any hope of seeing how far that might have gone ended with the offseason change that noticed Romain Grosjean signed and Ilott parting from the staff and certain for the World Endurance Championship. Ilott might nonetheless be on the grid for choose IndyCar rounds, however time will inform what that appears like.
With Canapino, the Argentine was spectacular with a pair of Twelfth-place outcomes on a avenue circuit and a quick oval. It was identified there can be rookie woes, however he tailored approach faster than many anticipated. It will probably’t be ignored {that a} potential podiums, or in any case a high 5, was on the playing cards at Laguna Seca earlier than unlucky contact with Ilott. With Canapino returning for a second yr in 2024, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see his and JHR’s development.
Photograph by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Photos
Agustín Canapino, Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet
Nick Degroot: I would say 2023 was a step in the best course for Juncos. They scored two top-fives and Callum Ilott bettered his season-long common end by two, whereas additionally inserting 4 positions greater within the last standings. His fifth-place end on the season-opener and season finale had been highlights for the Juncos group.
Now, the arrival of Agustín Canapino definitely shook issues up. The rookie driver’s marketing campaign was marred by run-ins together with his team-mate, and social media abuse from some followers forged a shadow over the whole staff.
Regardless of the drama, Juncos seems to be on track performance-wise. Signing Romain Grosjean for 2024 might be a serious assist as they proceed to seek out their footing on the high stage of American open-wheel racing. I will be to see if the pairing of Canapino and Grosjean goes smoother than the duo Canapino and Ilott.
