Munoz leads Open Lights Test at Pocono
The Colombian, driving the No. 26 Dialy-Ser car for Andretti Autosport, was the fastest in the Open Test (187.688 mph; 47.9518 seconds) on the 2.5-mile tri-oval in which eight drivers logged 795 laps in preparation for the July 6 Pocono 100.
Points leader Sage Karam led much of the afternoon session and was second fastest at 187.548 mph, while his Schmidt Peterson Motorsports with Curb-Agajanian teammate Gabby Chaves (186.187 mph) was third fast. Zach Veach, who recorded a field-high 140 laps, was fourth (186.150 mph) in the No. 12 K12 Andretti Autosport car.
"It was a good test day," said Munoz, who has four Sunoco Pole Awards and two victories this season. "In the morning we focused on the car since it was my first time here and used the first couple of laps to adapt. It's quite tricky and Turn 1 is the hardest corner. The car is different in each corner so you have to adapt the car for each corner.
"In the afternoon, we focused on the race setup and trying to run in traffic. We improved the car a lot. Tomorrow is a long day and it will be a tough race. Hopefully we can stay up front."
Karam, who hails from nearby Nazareth, Pa., has won the last two races — both on short ovals. He leads Munoz by nine points in the standings as the series enters the second half of the 12-race season.
"I want to represent Pocono and Pennsylvania and I want to win," Karam said. "I don't want to lose in front of my home crowd, so I'm going to give it everything I can to beat these guys."