Agustín Canapino carries hopes of Argentina into Indianapolis 500
back home in Argentina until you consider this: Five years ago, while racing in one of his nation’s touring car series, he was voted the country's top athlete.The 33-year-old pride of Arrecifes, an inland town of about 25,000 that also produceddrivers Jose Frilan Gonzalez and Norberto Edgardo Fontana, has won more than 100 races and 15 titles in various domestic series.
“It's not like I'm Messi, of course. Soccer is the most important sport in my country,” Canapino told The Associated Press on a quiet Tuesday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he was participating in some of the traditional rookie events such as ducking under a 2,000-pound dairy cow, grabbing ahold of an utter and taking a tug.“But,” Canapino continued, “it is really, really important in Argentina. We have a lot of fans, and yes, I have a lot of fans, too.
When Canapino took some laps at Autodromo de Buenos Aires in November, it was the first time an IndyCar had done so in Argentina since Al Unser won the Indy 300 at Rafaela Autodromo in 1971. Canapino later did laps at Circuit of Termas de Rio Hondo, and he was fast enough in the exhibition sessions that Juncos decided to give him a chance in a full-time ride.
Canapino didn't know a lick of English, but knew he'd need to be able to communicate with team engineers. So working with a tutor, watching movies and with the aid of an app on his phone, Canapino became
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