Driver Agustin Canapino and Team Split After Online Abuse Dispute

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Agustin Canapino and Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) have mutually agreed to end their partnership, a decision announced on Wednesday via social media and the team's website. The split follows a tumultuous period marked by Canapino's brief leave of absence in June, which was triggered by a social media controversy involving rival driver Théo Pourchaire. JHR expressed gratitude for Canapino's contributions and acknowledged the challenges faced during his tenure in the IndyCar Series. The controversy began after an on-track incident between Canapino and Pourchaire during the Detroit Grand Prix, where Pourchaire received a penalty for avoidable contact. Following the race, Pourchaire claimed to have received death threats from Canapino's fans, a claim that Canapino denied. The fallout from this incident led JHR to replace Canapino with rookie Nolan Siegel, citing concerns over his focus and readiness to compete. Canapino's performance during his time with JHR was mixed, with his best finish being 12th place in Detroit, while he struggled to achieve consistent results, often finishing 15th or worse in 11 starts. His final race with the team ended in a disappointing 26th place at the Toronto street course. The decision to part ways reflects the complexities of navigating competitive racing and the impact of social media on driver relationships and reputations.