Race

Juncos Hollinger Racing got its NTT INDYCAR SERIES month of May off to a solid start at the GMR Grand Prix today as both drivers improved on their starting positions, with Callum Ilott finishing P18 and rookie team-mate Agustín Canapino taking P21.

Qualifying niggles meant Callum started the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course race in P24 with Agustín alongside in P25. But both men were determined to return a positive result as part of their build up to the INDY 500 later in the month.

The race proved to be a battle of strategies. Agustín started on primary Firestone tires, while Callum opted for red-walled alternates. The Briton lost time early on when he needed to visit the pits for an unscheduled stop to check for damage after avoiding a collision.

Starting down the order and without any caution periods to create any opportunities for heroic strategy decisions, both Callum and Agustín were unable to make too much progress up the order as they struggled to find the performance they wanted on the softer rubber.

At the end of the 85-lap race, Callum had clawed back six places, while Agustín climbed four positions.

The iconic month of May continues when Juncos Hollinger Racing returns to the Indianapolis oval on May 28 to compete in the 107th running of the INDY 500.

Callum Ilott said:

“It was a tough race today. We had a first couple of stints that weren’t the best because we were struggling with the tyres, but then we did manage to pull it back a bit at the end with some better pace. However, when you’re out of position, it doesn’t make it easy to make too much progress. I wish we could have got a little bit more out of the weekend but sometimes it can be like that. We need to analyse the data and make it better for the next one.”

Agustín Canapino said:

“Finishing P21, I’m pretty happy with the race and the weekend because I learned lots and completed the distance. Of course, we always want more but I did the best race I could. Now the attention turns to the INDY 500 in a couple of weeks. I’m really happy to be here for that and we’ll be pushing hard for such a famous race.”

Ricardo Juncos said:

“First, I’m delighted with the INDY NXT results today – it’s our first victory in the category since 2019 and is just what we needed. First place at home in Indianapolis is great for the team and shows we’re back. Rasmus joined us late but did a great job to finish P8, while Matteo did a perfect race at the front. I want to thank all our crew members that work so hard and keep believing. They put in so many hours and this is just the beginning for us because we still have 11 more races to recover the championship.

“From an INDYCAR perspective, it was a very tough weekend for us and we never got the performance from the car for the drivers. But I thought they both did a great job. They were both strong on the black tires, but running the reds was more of a struggle. That was a bit of a surprise for us. But I’m proud for my people because we continue to learn and improve – even when the results are not as we expected. Big thanks to our partners for their continued support this season: Visit Argentina, MindMaze, Termas de Rio Hondo and Purdue University.”

Matteo Nannini fended off late pressure to earn the first INDY NXT victory of his career on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course today, while team-mate Rasmus Lindh rounded out a successful day for Juncos Hollinger Racing’s junior team by sealing P8 on his return to the squad.

A fast getaway was key to rookie Matteo winning the INDY NXT by Firestone Grand Prix, and the 19-year-old’s skilful tire management on one set of primary compound rubber enabled him to dominate the 35-lap race from pole position.

Swede Rasmus made two impressive early maneuvers to advance from his starting position of P10, before maintaining P8 for the remainder of the race. He finished with a 2.8-second advantage over his nearest rival.

Matteo’s round three success has moved him up to P4 in the 2023 INDY NXT driver standings with 84 points, while Rasmus sits P18 on 46 points.

Matteo Nannini said:

“I really wanted this win for the team. We didn’t start the championship the way we wanted but I always believed we had the car and the people to secure this kind of result. I would have been pretty unhappy if we hadn’t won this race from pole. I just tried to make every corner neat and tidy, and to manage the car to the end. I’m super happy for this result!”

Rasmus Lindh said:

“P1 and P8 is a really good day for the team and I think we’ve made lots of progress since the recent test at Mid-Ohio. I’m really glad to be back with Juncos Hollinger and I hope we can continue with this good form. Now the focus shifts to Detroit where I hope we can do the same – or even better! Big thanks to Ricardo, Brad and everyone in the team for this weekend.”