Quickest way to the front is start up front

Carlos Muñoz understands that his strategy for the ABC Supply Wisconsin 250 at Milwaukee IndyFest presented by the Metro Milwaukee Honda Dealers is generally shared by 23 competitors.

Still, qualifying up front to potentially remain up front on the short oval is the most expedient avenue to being up front at the end of the 250 laps July 12. 

“It makes life a lot easier,” said Muñoz, who qualified 20th in the 2014 race at The Milwaukee Mile and was immersed in rush hour traffic from the green flag.

Will Power, who earned the Verizon P1 Award last year, led the first 57 laps and, more importantly, the final 58 to claim the victory that was pivotal in his Verizon IndyCar Series championship run.

“Running in clean air or dirty air here doesn’t affect you so much because you’re lifting quite a lot, but having a good car in traffic is important, too,” added Muñoz, who recorded his first Verizon IndyCar Series victory six weeks ago in the No. 26 AndrettiTV Cinsay Honda.

The condensed schedule — a 75-minute practice session at 5 p.m. (CT) July 11, followed by a 45-minute morning practice and single-car qualifications leading into the 4:35 p.m. green flag – also presents challenges.

“No one has tested in Milwaukee so it’s going to be a question mark for everyone with the setups and it’s going to be really challenging Sunday because everything is so close together – practice, qualifying and then race – you won’t have time to sit down and talk to your engineer,” Muñoz said. “That’s when it’s good to have teammates. We each can try something different, compare data and make decisions from there.”