Conor Daly is back on the tracks, this time returning to Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) for the last five races of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Starting with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at the World Wide Technology Raceway this Saturday, August 17, Daly will be behind the wheel of the No. 78 Chevrolet.
Conor Daly: A Nostalgic and Promising Return
This change comes after Agustín Canapino parted ways with JHR by mutual agreement during his second season. For Daly, this opportunity is more than just filling a seat; it’s a reunion with JHR and co-owner Ricardo Juncos, who played a key role in the beginning of Daly's career. Their history dates back to 2010 when Daly won the Star Mazda Championship with Juncos Racing, winning seven of the 13 races.
Reflecting on this reunion, Daly expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m really excited to be working with Ricardo Juncos again. He believed in me when I was just starting out, and that was a turning point in my career. Getting to know some of the people on the team gives me a lot of confidence moving forward.”
He also acknowledged the rapid progress that JHR has made, adding, “What Brad Hollinger and Ricardo have built here is impressive, and I’m grateful for the chance to compete for the rest of the season. I’m determined to make the most of this opportunity and contribute to the team’s success.”
This season has seen Daly racing for several teams. He made an impressive return at the 108th Indianapolis 500, finishing 10th after starting 29th with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports. He also filled in for the injured Jack Harvey during the Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend in July for Dale Coyne Racing. Now, at 32 years old, Daly is adding to his extensive resume with 110 starts for 10 different teams since his INDYCAR debut in 2013, including a second-place finish in Detroit in 2016 and a pole position at Iowa Speedway in 2020.
Ricardo Juncos shared his enthusiasm about Daly's return, stating, “It feels like old times having Conor back in one of our cars. We had some great moments together in the past, and now it’s about looking ahead and seeking solid results as we wrap up the season.”
Daly will join Formula 1 veteran Romain Grosjean for the remainder of the season. The duo showed potential during a recent test at the World Wide Technology Raceway, where Daly and Grosjean recorded competitive times, fourth and fifth fastest, respectively.
Team co-owner Brad Hollinger is optimistic about Daly's impact, noting, “Conor's vast experience in INDYCAR is exactly what we need to move the team forward and continue developing the car.”
With Daly back in the mix, JHR is poised for an exciting season finale.
