INDYCAR: 'New generation' begins at Foyt

The 24-year-old Colombian and 24-year-old American represent what should be the face of IndyCar for the next decade because of their youth and ability. But in big-time auto racing, that's no guarantee anymore.

Before being hired by Larry and A.J. Foyt, Munoz spent the past three years at Andretti Autosport and had to bring sponsorship, while Daly's rookie season with Dale Coyne in 2016 was funded by the Byrd family.

But thanks to Milwaukee-based ABC Supply, one of the longest (13 years) and best sponsors in the Verizon IndyCar series, these two kids were hired and only had to bring their helmets to the legendary Texan's team.

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"Larry and A.J., they're embracing the future," said Daly, who scored a second (Detroit) and a fourth (Watkins Glen) and led 56 laps in his rookie run through the IndyCar schedule. "We've got Josef [Newgarden] going to Penske, got Alexander Rossi, got me and Carlos, which is sort of part of that next generation. I'm excited to try and push and make sure that we as a group of young folks can prove to the other team owners that, hey, we can do it. There's a reason Formula 1 teams are hiring 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds. It's because they can do it. It's the will to really push absolutely at the limit.

"We want to win so badly. I haven't experienced it. Carlos has. Carlos has won. It's one of those things, I just think we are genuinely more hungry. We have to be more hungry to win because we haven't experienced it yet, or as much as the veterans.

"We're pushing at the absolute limit and even over the limit just to be perfect and try to get better, try and get better to take advantage of this situation."

Munoz, who has finished second (twice), fourth and 20th in four Indianapolis 500 starts, was adamant he was done bringing money because he'd proven his worth.

"I was really confident and I had some options with other teams, even though it was not full-time. But Larry motivated me because of the changes he wanted to do," he continued. "I wasn't worried about my future, I knew it was my choice to say, 'I have to stop bringing money.'

"I will have the backing of my family next year if I was with Andretti or the sponsor in Colombia would have been in a good position for next year to go to Andretti or another team. I say, enough is enough. That was my personal choice.

"I'm really happy to be making a step up as a driver ... I'm really honored to be a part of [A.J.'s] team."

Daly's #4 car will be housed on Main Street in Speedway, while Munoz' famous #14 remains based in Houston, with Chevrolet powering the youngest duo in IndyCar. Daly, a second-generation driver (father Derek ran F1 and IndyCar) who grew up in Noblesville, is the first full-time American to drive for the original four-time winner at Indy since his grandson, Anthony, in 2009. Sponsor ABC Supply is a perfect match.

"I got to meet a lot of the guys, a lot of people from ABC, when I did the 500 in 2013. They just love racing," said Daly. "The car is red, white and blue and I bleed red, white and blue. I try to be the most American dude around.

"They're a great company to be involved on both of our cars. We definitely want to get them up in the front and keep them there, thank them for all they do for us."

Foyt Racing only has one win in the past decade (Takuma Sato at Long Beach in 2013) but Munoz is hoping to start a new era with his teammate.

"We have a really good example with Ed Carpenter," he said. "Five years ago no one was saying anything about this team. Now everyone wants to go to that team, right, because they did a really good job with Josef, with the engineers and everything. I think we have a good example.

"I think we can show results, right? I still have to push a lot to stay in the light of the tunnel. I have to push. I still pushing really hard, to show the teams that I really deserve the position I am right now.

"I think [Conor and I] can push each other a lot. Conor showed last year, as well, that he can be really competitive, you know. I think the good thing is to push each other, but work together, but always push each other. That's it, work together."