Agustin Canapino, a rising star in the IndyCar Series, will be notably absent from Sunday’s race at Road America due to a tumultuous week filled with alleged fan abuse on social media. The controversy stemmed from an incident between Canapino and Theo Pourchaire at the Detroit Grand Prix, leading to a wave of online harassment and threats directed towards Pourchaire.
In response to the escalating situation, Juncos Hollinger Racing made the decision to replace Canapino with Nolan Siegel in the No. 78 car, citing the need for Canapino to take a “leave of absence.” This move came after Arrow McLaren announced the termination of their business relationship with Juncos Hollinger, denouncing the online abuse and threats directed towards Pourchaire.
The team released a statement emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of all competitors, condemning any form of abuse, hatred, and harassment within the sport. Canapino, in his own statement, expressed his disappointment in the online behavior of some fans, stating that he has learned to ignore such negativity but acknowledging the impact it has had on him and his team.
This recent incident is not the first time Canapino’s fans have been called out for their online behavior, with previous instances of abuse directed towards opposing drivers. Despite his absence from the upcoming race, Canapino has shown promise in the series with an average finish of 17.7 in the first six races of the season. Meanwhile, Siegel will have the opportunity to make his second career IndyCar start at Road America, following a challenging qualifying attempt at the Indianapolis 500.