In addition to replacing him in the IndyCar race at Portland, Carlos Munoz is set to replace Robert Wickens as the driver of the #6 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda in the race at Sonoma.
Earlier today, it was confirmed that former full-time IndyCar driver Carlos Munoz would be the replacement for the injured Robert Wickens, the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports rookie who is still recovering from injuries he suffered in an accident during the IndyCar race at Pocono Raceway 10 days ago, in the penultimate race of the season, the Grand Prix of Portland, this Sunday, September 2.
In addition to replacing the 29-year-old Canadian in the 105-lap race around the 12-turn, 1.967-mile (3.166-kilometer) Portland International Raceway road course in Portland, Oregon, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year and runner-up is set to replace him in the season finale as well.
The season finale is the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma, which is scheduled to take place at the 12-turn, 2.385-mile (3.838-kilometer) Sonoma Raceway road course in Sonoma, California on Sunday, September 16.
Here is what Munoz had to say about the opportunity to drive the #6 Honda as Wickens’s replacement for the remainder of the 2018 season, according to IndyCar.com.
"“Robert and his family have been in my prayers and I continue to pray for his recovery. 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.”"
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Munoz, the 2014 IndyCar Rookie of the Year who has earned one victory and seven podium finishes, including two runner-up finishes in the Indy 500, since his IndyCar career began as a part-time driver back in the 2013 season, drove full-time in the series from the 2014 season through the 2017 season.
The 26-year-old Colombian drove for Andretti Autosport from the 2014 season through the 2016 season between switching teams with Takuma Sato and driving for A.J. Foyt Enterprises last season before he was replaced by 2004 IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan, the only driver he finished behind in the 2013 Indy 500 in his IndyCar debut driving for Andretti Autosport, ahead of this season.
Munoz has competed in four races at Sonoma Raceway throughout in his IndyCar career so far. He failed to finished the race in the 2014 season and was officially scored in 19th place. He finished in 22nd in the race in the 2015 season before recording back-to-back 15th place finishes in the races in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Be sure to tune in to each of the final two races of the 2018 IndyCar season. The Grand Prix of Portland is set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 2, and the IndyCar Grand Prix of Sonoma is set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 16.
Will Carlos Munoz perform at a level in these races that causes teams from around the IndyCar paddock to take a second look at him when they are deciding who to hire for the 2019 season? Tune in to both races to find out.