Carloz Munoz will pilot the No. 6 Lucas Oil Honda for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in this weekend’s Grand Prix of Portland (September 2, 2:30 p.m. on NBCSN) and the season-ending INDYCAR Grand Prix of Sonoma as a substitute for the injured Robert Wickens.
Munoz has one previous start in the 2018 Verizon IndyCar Series season - at the Indianapolis 500 with Andretti Autosport, where he finished seventh - but this weekend’s event in Portland will be his first road course race since last year’s season finale at Sonoma Raceway, meaning he has not yet raced the 2018 aero kit in road course trim.
However, with Thursday serving as a test day for the IndyCar teams, Munoz will have a chance to get himself up to speed with the 2018 aero kit and learn the 1.967-mile, 12-turn track.
“Robert and his family have been in my prayers and I continue to pray for his recovery,” said a gracious Munoz. “I’m very grateful that Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have entrusted me to compete in the Lucas Oil Honda for the last two races of the season. I am looking forward to pushing hard for a great result for the team and for Robert.”
.@CarlosMunoz034 will pilot the No. 6 @Lucas_Oil @HondaRacing_HPD at @portlandraceway and @RaceSonoma. #GetWellWickens ❤️🖤 // #PortlandGP // #SonomaGP // #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/uEcURGeH8J
— Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team (@ArrowMcLaren) August 29, 2018
Munoz was previously a full-time IndyCar competitor for four seasons (2014-2016 with Andretti Autosport, and 2017 with A.J. Foyt Racing). However, after parting ways with Foyt, Munoz was only able to put together an Indy-only deal with Andretti Autosport for the 2018 season.
This is also not the first time Munoz has served in a replacement role. In 2013, while still racing full-time in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship, Munoz was enlisted to sub for then Panther Racing driver Ryan Briscoe at the Honda Indy Toronto - he competed in Race 2 of that year’s double header.
Later that year, Andretti Autosport drafted him in to race in the season finale at Auto Club Speedway, subbing for E.J. Viso. He also made his IndyCar debut with Andretti that year, finishing second at the Indy 500.
Munoz has one career IndyCar win, in Race 1 of the 2015 Chevrolet Dual in Detroit.
Robert Wickens continues to receive treatment for injuries to his spine, right arm, and lower extremities, suffered in a violent crash at the ABC Supply 500. The most recent update, which came shortly before last weekend’s Bommarito Automotive Group 500, revealed that he is breathing without assistance and was able to speak with his family.