» IndyCars: A rookie joins the 2013 Indy 500 field

It’s well over six months away, but the Andretti Autosport team is already moving to shape the make-up of its entry list for next year’s Indianapolis 500.

The team – whose driver Ryan Hunter-Reay won this this year’s championship crown – has signed Indy Lights driver Carlos Munoz to its expanded line-up for the 500-mile oval spectacular.

Munoz, 20, hails from Colombia, and last year contested the Indy Lights championship for Team Moore Racing, claiming two race wins en route to finishing fifth overall in the Drivers’ Championship standings.

He has re-signed in the championship for a full-time campaign with Andretti’s Lights team, and will be targeting the 2013 title as well as making his IndyCar Series debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May.

“I am just so happy that Andretti Autosport has given me the opportunity to drive in the Indy 500 for them,” he is quoted as saying in a team media release.

“It means a lot that they trust in my capabilities with it being my first IndyCar race. It’s a great honor and I know that there will be some pressure there to do a good job.”