Canapino and the million dollar race: how much he took in the IndyCar special stage

It’s strange to see a top-level international competition decide to carve out time in its calendar to make room for a race with no points up for grabs, as if it were an exhibition. Impossible to imagine, for example, in Formula 1 or in Dakar Rally. however, the IndyCar decided to make a change for 2024: insert a date in Thermal Club of California, an exclusive private circuit with an impressive prize pool of 1.7 million dollars financed by a group of millionaires, for which 27 drivers fought. AND Agostino Canapino He excelled on the wide course with laps of almost 5 kilometers and finished in 10th place.

Canapino showed an excellent level of riding throughout the weekend: He was able to make the most of the car to keep the tires alive and manage, without risking too much, to remain among the leaders. Furthermore, his top speed in a straight line allowed him to hope to be among the best. Now, the Reef native’s main virtue was understanding the format of the race, which was divided between two sprints and the final.

In the first heat (the 27 drivers were divided into two groups, one of 14 and the other of 13), Canapino participated, who avoided the collision between his teammate, Roman Grosjean, with Scott Dixon and Rinus VeeKay and he took the opportunity to take fifth place and never let go in the 10 scheduled laps. Thanks to that, finished in the top six and went to definition.

And in the final, which lasted 20 laps, with a break halfway through, the Titan stood out once again. With wheel management he didn’t give his all in the last laps before the stop and saved everything for the decisive phase. At that moment he pressed the accelerator hard, applied his strategy (he only made a small mistake in an attempt to climb another position) and achieved a top 10 that excites him for the rest of the championship.

Money isn’t everything

The winner of the Thermal race, the one that awarded no points in the tournament, was Alex Palu and took $500,000. AND Canapino, 10th at the final table, took home $23,000, the same money as the last one. In any case, it has taken away from the American West the certainty of still having a long way to go but of establishing itself more and more every day in a category that gives you no respite.

Word from Canapino after his top 10 at the Thermal Club

“It was a very good weekend for us, from low to high, always in the top 10 positions. Once again, confirming the progression we were having. Heat 1 was very good, I managed to survive the first corner and then I have a very good pace to finish fifth in the pace of the leaders. In the main race I started 9th and I decided to save the tires to be able to attack the last 10 laps. Unfortunately, we had a big problem with the tire set the race main and at no point did I have the performance that I had before, so I was able to do everything I could and finish 10th in the pace of that middle group that we were all gathered in. I’m happy, it’s my first time top 10 which allows me to continue to grow and learn day after day.”We have to enjoy this moment and work hard for what’s to come,” said the Argentine.