INDYCAR: Munoz 'getting closer and closer'

The first time Carlos Munoz finished second in the Indianapolis 500, he only had two more opportunities to race in that 2013 season – Race 2 in Toronto and the season-ending MAVTV 500 at Fontana. Add his win from last season's first Dual in Detroit race, and Munoz is finally getting a chance to answer this question: How will he rebound from another oh-so-close heartbreak?

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After a sixth-place finish in this year's first race in Detroit and early-lap contact that led to a 15th place in Race 2, Munoz won his first career Verizon IndyCar Series pole at Texas – the only driver to turn two consecutive laps over 217mph. With the Honda-powered Andretti Autosport stable looking strong since the month of May, Munoz has a chance to break through.

"Last week in Detroit was almost my first Fast Six [in my] career, apart from Mid-Ohio when it was rain. I've been, like, getting closer and closer I think. In the ovals, I've been strong a lot. Last year qualifying fourth here, I finished the race sixth.

"Honestly, I didn't expect to be on pole. I didn't expect to be 217. After practice, I really wasn't happy with the car. Conditions [were] really tough. We make some changes. When I saw my first lap on my dash, I said, 'Oh, man, that was a good lap.' My second lap was really good, as well. So I was the fifth car out, it took a little bit suffering with my teammates and everything."

The 24-year-old currently sits sixth in the standings, tied in points with rookie teammate and Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi. It's not quite a 500 win, but for a driver who is starting to make a name for himself on ovals, it's an accomplishment.

"It's my first [IndyCar career] pole – I was looking at the [Verizon P1] hat and it looks really nice! I'm really happy for all of my team after Indy and for everything, I have to thank everyone.

Cameras captured Munoz's heartbreak when he climbed out of the car at Indy, and he insisted he would win an Indy 500 one day. Instead of taking the "runner-up is the first loser" approach, he looks far ahead, to what is hopefully a career full of 500 starts.

"[It] Is like my first Indy 500," he said. "People say I could have won it if not for the yellow. But I say that didn't happen, nothing would change. I pass over that.

"Like I say, I have many opportunities. Hopefully next year I have another opportunity. If would be my last 500 of my life, I would regret it for my whole life for sure. But I think it is not my last 500, I think I have many more to come. Hopefully more opportunities."

Promising he put the loss behind him the next day, his concentration is paying dividends – something that's needed as IndyCar moves from day to night racing.

"It's completely different, the race from the practice and even from the qualifying. It really feels good to be my first pole in the Verizon IndyCar Series. Hopefully first of many. Like I said, now is focus on the race. I want to win races."