Daly & Munoz Join A.J. Foyt Racing
Story By: MITCH ROBINSON / INDYcar SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
INDIANAPOLIS IND.- November 17, 2016- Talented young drivers Conor Daly of the United States and Carlos Munoz of Colombia will join forces with A.J. Foyt Racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series beginning next season.
Daly, who spent his rookie season with Dale Coyne Racing in 2016, will drive car No. 4. Munoz — a race winner at Andretti Autosport — will drive the team’s flagship No. 14 entry.
“Both of our drivers are very young and they’ve got their whole future ahead of them,” said team owner A.J. Foyt, who turns 82 in January. “I’m looking forward to being a part of that future.”
Daly’s car will be based out of Indianapolis this season in a facility just a few blocks away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The No. 14 entry will be fielded out of Foyt’s longtime racing shop in Waller, Texas.
The move to Indianapolis of the No. 4 team marks the first time that A.J. Foyt Racing will base a team there after Foyt purchased the property on Main Street in October 2014.
Another first for the team is carrying the No. 4 on a full-time entry in the Verizon IndyCar Series. The No. 4 has significance for Foyt as he became the first four-time winner of the Indy 500, but it also holds significance for Daly, whose step-father (and Indianapolis Motor Speedway President) Doug Boles was a founding partner and co-owner of Panther Racing which fielded the No. 4 car. Boles served as chief operating officer from 1997 to 2006.
“I always grew up cheering on the No. 4 no matter who was driving it. The number means a lot to my family and I can’t wait to wear it proudly,” Daly said when he learned of the number change to his car.
Daly returns to the ABC Supply team to drive the No. 4 ABC Supply car. After making his IndyCar debut in the 2013 Indianapolis 500 driving for Foyt, the second-generation driver added 21 more races to his IndyCar career driving for other teams.
Daly’s father is Derek Daly who competed in Formula One and then the IndyCar Series for over a decade. As a rookie in his first full IndyCar season this year, the 24-year-old posted some impressive finishes, including second at Detroit and fourth at Watkins Glen (N.Y.). In 22 starts, he has six top-10 finishes and has led 68 laps.
“I am thrilled to be reunited with A.J. Foyt Racing for the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season,” Daly said. “A.J. and Larry were the ones who gave me my first chance at not only getting in an IndyCar for a test at Sebring but also the greatest race in the world, the Indianapolis 500 in 2013. Now we get an opportunity to compete as a team for the full season and I couldn’t be happier. It will also be very special to me as an American to be in a red, white and blue ABC Supply machine. This will be a great opportunity for me to continue building my IndyCar career and I can’t thank A.J., Larry and ABC Supply Company enough for believing in a young American to deliver for them.”
Munoz will drive the No. 14 ABC Supply Dallara. The 24-year-old Colombian, who has finished second in two of his four Indianapolis 500 starts, finished 10th in the standings this past season.
