Carlos Munoz

Carlos Munoz is a racing driver from Colombia who most recently competed in the IndyCar Series. He made an IndyCar debut in 2013 at Indianapolis 500, finishing second in that race. Since then, he scored one victory, in 2015 at Detroit, and one more second place at Indianapolis 500, in 2016. He was the IndyCar Rookie of the Year in 2014.

Earlier in a career, Munoz spent two seasons in the Indy Lights series, two seasons in the Formula 3 Euro Series and three seasons in different Formula Renault competitions.

Carlos Munoz

Starting a career in the Formula Renault

Born in January 1992 in Bogota, Carlos Andres Munoz started his racing in karting competitions at the age 10. In 2007, the 15-year-old kid made a debut in car racing, participating in four races of the North American Formula TR Pro Series FR 1600. He scored one podium in four races.

He spent two more seasons in different Formula Renault competitions in Europe. In 2008, he was driving for Prema Powerteam in the Italian and European series, not scoring wins or podiums. In 2009, he joined Epsilon Euskadi team to race in the Eurocup and West European Cup, scoring three podiums in two competitions.

Carlos Munoz as a Formula 3 driver in 2011

Two seasons in the Formula 3 Euro Series

In 2009, Munoz also made a debut in Formula 3, participating in three rounds of the European F3 Open with Porteiro Motorsport and scoring two podiums. In 2010, he joined Mücke Motorsport to became a regular in the Formula 3 Euro Series, scoring one podium to finish ninth in the points. He also competed in two rounds of the British Formula 3 Championship as a guest driver.

In 2011, Munoz spent one more season in the F3 Euro Series, driving the #9 Dallara-Volkswagen for Signature team. He was on a podium two times, finishing 8th in the final standings.

Munoz was driving the #26 car for two seasons in the Indy Lights Series

Two seasons in the Indy Lights series

In 2012, Munoz returned to North America to drive for Andretti Autosport in the Indy Lights series. At the wheel of the #26 Dallara-Infiniti, he scored two wins and five podiums to finish fifth in the overall standings and the best among rookies.

In 2013, Munoz was again among the front-runners in the Indy Lights series, scoring four wins in the #26 car to finish third in the final points, behind Sage Karam and Gabby Chaves.

Carlos Munoz at 2013 Indianapolis 500

Sensational second place at 2013 Indianapolis 500

During an Indy Lights season with Andretti Autosport, Munoz made an IndyCar Series debut with the team, driving the #26 Chevrolet at Indianapolis 500. After setting the second-fastest time in qualifying he sensationally finished second in the race, behind Tony Kanaan.

Later in the season, he made two more IndyCar starts. At Honda Indy Toronto, he replaced Panther Racing's Ryan Briscoe in the #4 Chevrolet for Race 2 and finished 17th. At season's finale at Sonoma, he was driving the #5 Chevrolet for Andretti Autosport, finishing 23rd.

Carlos Munoz was the 2014 IndyCar Rookie of the Year

Rookie of the Year in the 2014 IndyCar Series season

For the 2014 IndyCar Series season, Munoz made a deal to drive the #34 Honda for Andretti Autosport. He was on a podium three times during a season, finishing third at Long Beach, Houston and Pocono. At Indianapolis 500, Munoz started seventh and finished fourth.

At the end of the season, Munoz was 8th in the overall standings, earning the Rookie of the Year honor, beating three full-time rookies Mikhail Aleshin, Jack Hawksworth and Carlos Huertas.

Carlos Munoz scored his maiden IndyCar win at 2015 Detroit Grand Prix

Maiden IndyCar victory at Detroit Belle Isle in 2015

In 2015, Munoz moved to #26 Dallara DW12-Honda. His results were disappointing compared with the previous season. He was far from a podium in six races, including 20th place at Indianapolis.

And then, in the seventh round, the first race of double-header event at the Detroit Belle Isle Circuit, he scored his maiden IndyCar victory in a wet race, beating teammate Marco Andretti. Later in the season, Munoz scored two fifth-place finishes to end a season 13th in the points.

Carlos Munoz at 2016 Indianapolis 500

Second place at 2016 Indianapolis 500

In 2016, his third IndyCar season with Andretti Autosport, Munoz was driving the #26 Honda. The highlight of the season was his second place at Indianapolis 500 after he started fifth on the grid.

Later in the season, he was on a podium one more time, finishing third at Honda Indy Toronto. He was on a pole at Texas, finishing in the seventh place. At the end of the season, Munoz was tenth in the points.

AJ Foyt and Carlos Munoz

Last full season in 2017 with AJ Foyt Racing

For the 2017 IndyCar season, Munoz moved to AJ Foyt Racing to drive the #14 Chevrolet. It turned to be his worst season so far, as he ended a year 16th in the points. His best result was the seventh place at Long Beach. At Indianapolis 500, Munoz progressed from 24th place on the starting grid to tenth place at the finish line.

For the 2018 IndyCar season, AJ Foyt signed Brazilians Tony Kanaan and Matheus Leist, so Munoz has to find a new team. He secured a ride in the #29 Andretti Honda at Indianapolis 500 and later raced with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in two races as a replacement for injured Robert Wickens. In 2019, Munoz was out of racing.

Photos: Carlos Munoz, IndyCar Series,