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| July 21, 2012 News |
| Indy Lights: Munoz Overcomes Tire Change to Score First Win in Edmonton |
 | Carlos Munoz converted the pole position in Edmonton into a exciting first series win
(Photo: INDYCAR-LAT USA) |
Carlos Munoz made the most of the pole position and quick crew change by the Andretti Autosport crew to win Round Nine on Saturday (July 21) at the Edmonton City Centre Airport Circuit. Joining the rookie on the podium were his AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport teammate Sebastian Saavedra and Sam Schmit Motorsports' Esteban Gyuerrieri.
Munoz relies on his talented crew members to prepare the No. 26 Team Dialy-Star car for each session on the racetrack. On lap 14 of the Edmonton 100, the 20 year-old pace-setter relied on them for a quick tire change.
It's not often that Firestone Indy Lights races require a switch from rain tires to slicks -- and vice versa -- but a rainstorm 30 minutes before the green flag of the 40-lap race on the 2.224-mile, 13-turn circuit necessitated Race Control to declare a wet start. As the racing line dried under the tires of the 11 cars and the sun did its part, drivers began peeling onto pit lane for a set of Firestone slicks on lap 12. Munoz's crew got him out without losing a lap, and he regained the point on lap 17.
The rest was academic as the polesitter went on to his first Firestone Indy Lights victory. His previous best was second at Belle Isle and Indianapolis.
"It was a crazy race with rain," said Munoz, wrapped in the Colombian flag in Victory Circle. "Once it was dry, the car was unbelievable. The guys did an awesome job all weekend; first in practice, first in qualifying, first in warm-up and now the race. It’s impossible to do any better. And the pit stop, the guys just did an incredible job. I’m really happy to get my first win."
Saavedra, driving the No. 27 Team AFS car, was 8.3453 seconds back, Guerrieri finished third in the No. 11 Pistas Argentinas/Sam Schmidt Motorsports with Curb Agajanian car. It was the sixth podium finish of the season for Saavedra, who moved to second in the championship standings. Guerrieri, the 2011 race winner who notched his seventh podium of the season, holds a 27-point lead heading to the next event in two weeks in Quebec.
Tristan Vautier rallied on the final lap to finish sixth in the No. 77 Mazda Road to Indy/Sam Schmidt Motorsports with Curb Agajanian car, and is 28 points back. Oliver Webb gained one spot relative to his starting position to finish fourth, and Belardi Auto Racing's Peter Dempsey finished fifth.
The Firestone Indy Lights drivers and teams no travel to Trois-Rivieres, Que., for Round 10 on the historic street circuit on August 4-5.
The top-three will be posted following every session on the EFCN Facebook page, and EFCN Twitter page.
Indy Lights
Round 9 - Race Results
July 21, 2012
Edmonton City Centre Airport Circuit - Edmonton, Alberta
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Diff. | Fast Time| 1. | Carlos Munoz | Andretti Autosport | - | 1:25.0398 | | 2. | Sebastian Saavedra | AFS Racing/Andretti Autosport | 8.3453 | 1:24.6679 | | 3. | Esteban Guerrieri | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | 13.1932 | 1:24.6199 | | 4. | Oliver Webb | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | 35.9905 | 1:25.3384 | | 5. | Peter Dempsey | Belardi Auto Racing | 45.2677 | 1:25.1039 | | 6. | Tristan Vautier | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | 49.7176 | 1:25.2773 | | 7. | Gustavo Yacaman | Team Moore Racing | 50.4511 | 1:25.6278 | | 8. | Victor Carbone | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | 56.0144 | 1:25.8663 | | 9. | Juan Pablo Garcia | Jeffrey Mark Motorsport | 1:18.0587 | 1:26.1220 | | 10. | David Ostella | Team Moore Racing | 1:39.4215 | 1:26.2615 | | 11. | Jorge Goncalvez | Belardi Auto Racing | 2 Laps | 1:26.4196 | |
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