DETROIT – Carlos Munoz, a 21-year-old Colombian, was the talk of motorsports in May 2013 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by qualifying and finishing second in his maiden Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.
Munoz’s results reminded many of his countryman, Juan Pablo Montoya, who conquered the 2.5-mile oval in winning in his first visit in 2000. He was 24 years old.
Munoz went on to compete in two other Verizon IndyCar Series races that season and joined Andretti Autosport full time for 2014, earning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award and eighth place in the championship standings.
Now the former Indy Lights race winner is a Verizon IndyCar Series race winner. In his 28th career start, Munoz was the leader May 30 when Race 1 of the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans was red flagged because of lightning in the area and checkered after 47 of the scheduled 70 laps.
“I wanted to win it 100 percent, running all the laps, but this is racing,” Munoz shrugged. “My team did a great job in the strategy, and I think I also did a great job on the slick tires when the track was still a little bit wet. Really nice – my first victory in IndyCar.”
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In the post-race news conference, Munoz was asked about Montoya’s second Indianapolis 500 victory – secured May 24 in the No. 2 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet. Munoz, who placed fourth at Indy in 2014 and 20th this year, was hopeful of a long career similar to Montoya’s.
“This year with the package, I wasn't really fast, but I was there the whole race in the front,” he said. “I show I can win someday this race. I have the potential to win it. I'm just 23 years old. Juan won it at (39). He's almost 20 years older than me. So I have hopefully 15 years to win it.”
All eyes on Taylor Swift on the 10 car
Tony Kanaan’s No. 10 entry for the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans – the one with Taylor Swift’s image on the engine cover -- was a selfie magnet in the paddock.
Scott Borchetta, founder of Swift’s label, Big Machine Records, was included in a few photos, too. Big Machine Records, the official entertainment partner of Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, is promoting Swift’s seven-month “1989” concert tour that included Detroit on May 30.
“It was an opportunity to take our entertainment platform and combine it with this entertainment platform. I love racing, so I'm always looking for opportunities to bring a younger audience in,” said Borchetta, who raced quarter-midgets as a youth. “You look at how great this product is -- the (Indianapolis 500) was fantastic -- and the more we can turn on this generation to Indy car racing, the more healthy it's going to be. We have great young drivers, we have great young artists who are interested in it."
Sage Karam, 20, who grew up near Swift’s hometown in Pennsylvania and drives the No. 8 Chip Ganassi Racing Teams Chevrolet, attended the concert at Ford Field. Rascal Flatts, another Big Machine Records artist that performs June 6 in Detroit, was featured on Karam’s car for the doubleheader.
Kanaan, 40, who was driving a Big Machine Records-sponsored car for the first time, said he’s supportive of whatever it takes – STEM programs, alternative sponsorship, school visits – to nurture the next generation of IndyCar fans.
"I think we achieve a lot of things this weekend bringing more people to watch IndyCar,” he said. “I think the exposure is helping."
What happened next
Munoz won Race 1 and finished 23rd in Race 2 because of a mechanical issue on Lap 5.
How other recent first-time Verizon IndyCar Series winners have fared in their next race:
*Josef Newgarden – Won on April 26 at Barber Motorsports Park; finished 20th two weeks later in Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis. Was running at finish after being involved in Turn 1, Lap 1 incident.
* Carlos Huertas – Won on June 28, 2014, in Houston 1; finished 23rd the next day in Houston 2 (off course).
* James Hinchcliffe – Won on March 24, 2013, in St. Petersburg; finished 26th two weeks later at Barber Motorsports Park (contact).
Of note
General Barra, CEO of General Motors, gave the command to start engines for Race 2. ... Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder welcomed fans and thanked the more than 1,000 volunteers for their service. Belle Isle Park is the newest of the 102 state parks. ... Three-time Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Pat Patrick was a guest of Roger Penske for Race 2. ... Sebastien Bourdais drove his No. 11 Team Mistic E-Cigs KVSH Racing Chevrolet to victory in Race 2. The next eight positions were occupied by Honda drivers.