Foyt pleased with new drivers and Chevrolet

Along with IndyCar decreeing that 2017 would see a freeze in development of manufacturer aerokits before the series switches to a universal aero package in 2018, it also reduced test-day allowances for all but rookie drivers. AJ Foyt Racing, which is switching from Honda to Chevrolet this season as well as replacing both its drivers, was thus regarded as being at a disadvantage.

However, Larry Foyt said that this week's two-day test at Sebring, the team’s first run with Chevy, Daly and Munoz – and the team’s new technical director, Will Phillips – had been satisfying.

Foyt told Motorsport.com: “It was a really great test and we were just clicking through items. I felt bad for Carlos because he had a little spin on cold tires on Tuesday and then an off on Wednesday when the car just jumped around on him and the damage hurt the right-side suspension.

“That’s a shame, but we still got a lot done, and I think everyone on the team is happy. There was nothing radically different regarding the engine or the aerokit. The drivers felt a few differences between the two but nothing that’s going to alter the way we go about things, or stops our progress.

“What really impressed me was that we were pretty darn competitive with the Chevy package right away. It’s hard to compare conditions at Sebring from test to test, but we were quicker than the last time we tested there.

“And to be honest, I think we’re only just scratching at the surface. Honestly, we could have been there a week and been learning more and more, which is always the way when you change manufacturers, especially this year. It’s not just about learning the engine but also the aero package.

“The thing is, I just know in the early part of the season especially, we’re going to leave a race thinking, ‘Dang! I wish we’d gone into the weekend with the car that we’re heading home with!’ That’s part of the learning process, right?”

Phillips already impressing

Will Phillips, former IndyCar technical VP, has returned from SCCA Pro Racing to the IndyCar scene as AJ Foyt Racing’s technical director and race engineer for Munoz. According to Larry Foyt, the famously impassive Briton is already blending in with the team.

Said Foyt: “Will was shaking off the rust, but he’s gonna be great. I already really like working with him, and Daniele [Cucchiaroni, Daly’s engineer, who worked with Jack Hawksworth on the team last season] has gained a bunch of experience over the past year. That #4 team worked really flawlessly this week; Conor was just pounding out the laps and kept going quicker all test.”

Foyt also praised Chevrolet’s assistance, especially in light of the fact that the deal between team and engine manufacturer was done so late in the off-season.

“Yeah, thankfully Chevy has been great about really trying to work with us less than two months before the first race,” he said. “They didn’t just give us the kits and the engines and leave us to it; they’ve really been supportive and super-helpful – all we could ask for.”

New Indianapolis shop is ready

The Foyt squad is in an unusual situation in having its two cars operate out of separate raceshops this year. Munoz’s #14 car and crew will be based in Waller, Texas, while Daly’s #4 car will be prepped at the team’s new shop in Indianapolis.

Foyt, speaking from this new facility, said: “It’s coming along well and Conor’s crew will be operating out of here from Monday. So everything’s on schedule and good at both shops.

"And apart from Carlos’s crash, things really couldn’t have gone any better. He was hard on himself but he didn’t need to be; he was doing a great job and the team was enjoying working with him.

“The thing is, we signed him because we believe in him so he just needs to shake this off. He should know that everyone’s 100 percent behind him, and we’ll all move on stronger. He's going to be good."