Agustín Canapino, the Titan of Turismo Carretera, has once again etched his name into the history books. In a thrilling display of skill and determination, he dominated the 3rd round of the Copa de Oro at the Paraná circuit, securing his 5th victory of the year and an incredible 4th consecutive win, a feat not witnessed since 1990.
The race was an intense battle, with Canapino leading from start to finish. Agustín Martínez and Mariano Werner, both driving Mustangs, kept close pursuit throughout the 25 laps. Martínez, in particular, had two golden opportunities during the safety car periods, but the resilient Canapino held his ground, ultimately crossing the finish line 1.151 seconds ahead.
"It was far from an easy race," Canapino humbly admitted. "Agustín [Martínez] launched some excellent attacks, and I felt the pressure. He played by the rules, and so did I. It was a fair fight." With this victory, Canapino joins the elite group of drivers with 20 wins in Turismo Carretera, equaling the legendary Rubén Luis Di Palma.
In an interview, Canapino expressed his gratitude: "I have an incredible car and an exceptional team. I'm not focused on statistics; my obsession is to become champion." His extraordinary form, coupled with the challenging weekend for his title rivals, has created a substantial gap in the championship standings. Canapino now leads Santiago Mangoni by a commanding 51.5 points, with Matías Rossi, who finished 4th, virtually occupying the 2nd position, 47 points behind.
But here's where it gets controversial: Agustín Martínez, despite missing a race due to a severe accident in the TC Pick Up, secured his first-ever podium finish in Turismo Carretera. Is this a sign of things to come, or just a lucky break? Martínez's performance has sparked debates among fans and experts alike.
Mariano Werner, another Ford Mustang driver, completed the 2-3 finish for the Blue Oval, marking the first time two drivers from Entre Ríos shared the Turismo Carretera podium in Paraná. Werner, who ended a 6-race drought outside the top 3, celebrated his 62nd TC podium, the 6th in Paraná, and the 2nd in 2025.
"I pushed hard to see if I had a chance, but Agustín [Martínez] drove exceptionally well. It's great to see him up there. Canapino had an incredible weekend, and I have nothing but respect for his performance. We're back in the fight, and that's a boost for us," Werner stated.
The next chapter of this thrilling Turismo Carretera season unfolds at the Toay circuit on November 15th and 16th. Who will challenge Canapino's dominance? Will Martínez's podium finish be a one-off, or is he a rising star? These questions and more will be answered as the championship heats up. Stay tuned, and don't forget to share your predictions and thoughts in the comments!
