Double-header oval challenge awaits JHR drivers in Iowa
Newton, IowaJuly 20, 2023
Callum Ilott and Agustín Canapino are braced for arguably the toughest challenge of their NTT INDYCAR SERIES season this weekend (July 21-23) – two races at the short and compact Iowa Speedway.
Rounds 11 and 12 of the season make up the only double-header of 2023, with the Hy-Vee Homefront 250 held on Saturday and the Hy-Vee One Step 250 run a day later. Callum and Agustín will face 223 miles of wheel-to-wheel racing in each of the Iowa races, providing a stern physical test for both men.
Iowa Speedway is the penultimate oval course that INDYCAR will race on this year, and with average speeds hitting 140 mph per lap, the course is affectionately known as ‘The World’s Fastest Short Track’. The banked 0.875-mile oval requires skill and nerve to succeed, and lap times can be completed in under 18 seconds.
Agustín tested at Iowa last month, so will be familiar with the track despite his rookie status. Callum meanwhile, will take confidence from his impressive P11 and P12 finishes at last year’s corresponding double-header.
JHR will be keen to live up to its Power of Possibility mission again this weekend, after the team performed well in Toronto last time out. Agustín equaled his best-ever open-wheel racing result by finishing P12, while Callum was also pushing for a top-10 finish until he suffered a late retirement.
“Hopefully there will be lots of overtaking as we try to make our way into the top ten.”
Callum Ilott said:
“Last year I had a really enjoyable time in Iowa. I had two great races, coming through the pack. It’s a good track for racing and Hy-Vee is supporting the weekend as well, making it a big spectacle for everyone.
“The races should be really enjoyable, but super tough as they are long. Hopefully there will be lots of overtaking as we try to make our way into the top ten.”
“The ovals this year have been good for us, so hopefully I will be able to take home some points.”
Agustín Canapino said:
“I’m really excited to race at Iowa this weekend, as it will be a good challenge. I have tested at the track before, and that was a great experience.
“Last year, Callum and the team did a really good job across the two races there. I think we have a great opportunity to perform well again this weekend. The ovals this year have been good for us, so hopefully I will be able to take home some points.”
Juncos Hollinger Racing will also return to INDY NXT action at the Iowa Speedway on Saturday, as the junior series visits its first oval course in 2023.
After a three-week break from competition, Rasmus Lindh will fly the flag for the team during the 75-lap race. The Swede is hoping for a strong weekend after enjoying a successful open test at the track last month.
Last time out at the INDY NXT By Firestone Grand Prix in Mid-Ohio, 22-year-old Rasmus earned an impressive P7 finish – his best result of the season.
The team will also be joined by a new recruit this weekend, as Matthew Brabham will drive the #75 car for the INDY NXT By Firestone at Iowa Speedway race. The Australian-American driver finished third in the junior series’ championship standings in 2022.
“I’m really grateful and excited to represent Juncos Hollinger Racing this weekend in Iowa.”
Matthew Brabham said:
“I’m really grateful and excited to represent Juncos Hollinger Racing this weekend in Iowa. Thank you to Ricardo [Juncos] and Brad [Hollinger] for the opportunity.
“It’s going to be challenging, having missed the INDY NXT testing and races this year. However, my confidence is high as I was definitely the guy to beat on all the ovals last year.
“There are a few tricks to Iowa that I hope I can capitalize on again. The new Firestone tires will change things up a little and there are a lot of unknowns, but we will do our best to make sure we have a great run at Iowa. It’s a great feeling to be back!”
“We had a really promising test in Iowa a month ago, so I’m excited to see what we can do during the race.”
Rasmus Lindh said:
“I’m really excited to be back racing on an oval this weekend. We had a really promising test in Iowa a month ago, so I’m excited to see what we can do during the race.
“My last race on an oval was in 2019 when I was racing in INDY PRO 2000. That was a good event for me because I was on the podium and also set the fastest lap. As this is the first visit to an oval in the INDY NXT season, I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve here.”