Conor Daly thinks IndyCar ought to race in Mexico “instantly”

Conor Daly has began 115 IndyCar races with ten completely different groups during the last 12 years, plus put in seat time throughout NASCAR, GP3, and a stint as an F1 take a look at driver. He secured his full-time 2025 IndyCar run within the No. 78 Juncos Hollinger IndyCar after after incomes the crew’s first-ever podium at Milwaukee final yr. The 33-year-old Indiana native has earned the respect of the paddock — and is not afraid to say what’s on his thoughts. 

And when Motorsport caught up with Daly lately, he had quite a bit to say. He is laser-focused on competing for podiums — and possibly even an enormous win — this season. However Daly additionally has his eyes on the state of the game itself.

Under, Daly will get into all of it: IndyCar’s enlargement exterior U.S. borders, the collection’ possibilities at parity with no new automobile, his possibilities at a NASCAR return, and whether or not Juncos can win the Indy 500. His line — “I need to win that race greater than anything on this planet” — ought to provide you with a touch.

You are beginning a brand new alternative as a full-time driver, however having carried out 5 races with Juncos already, how vital will that have be in an effort to hit the bottom operating in 2025?

Preparation is so vital on this sport, and we are able to undergo weeks of the whole lot that we need to accomplish and the way we make the vehicles even higher. It eliminates among the questions that you’d have in your thoughts earlier than going into a brand new atmosphere, as a result of I used to be already there. I already know the system just a little bit.

You’re the most skilled driver this crew has ever had in terms of IndyCar. Do you are feeling just like the crew chief? In that case, how do you address that duty?

Having essentially the most expertise is useful. There needs to be somebody to steer us in a sure path. I have been in groups earlier than the place my teammate has been the extra skilled driver. I believe it is nearly belief — they must belief what I am saying, and I’ve to belief that they are going to have the ability to ship what I would like out of the automobile.

The identical factor for Sting Ray, clearly, as properly. I am certain he’ll need one thing just a little bit completely different than me, however hopefully our total efforts make the vehicles simply sooner each weekend. It is essentially the most aggressive time in IndyCar proper now. All the things needs to be good daily if you wish to obtain the absolute best outcomes. 

You raced for a lot of groups in IndyCar, so about services and sources. The place does Juncos Racing rank in that listing?

We’ve got an amazing workshop, and we’ve got an amazing group of individuals. Plenty of younger of us, which is sweet. There’s nonetheless a protracted technique to go. There are groups that also have triple the funds that we’ve got, extra vehicles and extra knowledge for years.

One factor that we undoubtedly are restricted on is knowledge and a large number of various years of setup work. I believe we’re punching above our weight. We’re doing fairly properly for a smaller, extra underdog-type operation, however there are lots of sensible folks on this crew. 

Daly taking third in Milwaukee in 2024

Picture by: Phillip Abbott / Motorsport Pictures

After all, successful is the last word aim — however have you ever set any particular targets that you simply need to obtain with Juncos? Final yr, the rostrum in Milwaukee was enormous for the crew. However throughout the entire season, is there a particular aim to attain?

I need to win the Indy 500. I do not assume there’s any motive why we should not do this. Their vehicles have been quick final yr, after which I obtained in on the finish of the season, in October, to do a take a look at day with these guys. I believe they have not truly had drivers with lots of oval expertise of their vehicles earlier than. So there was quite a bit that I instantly was in a position to choose up on that I did not like, and stuff that I believe might be good. As a result of I’ve pushed lots of oval races, and I do know what I would like on the Indy 500, I believe the event work that the crew is doing within the wind tunnel and over the offseason goes to be tremendous useful.

We need to win that race greater than anything on this planet. I need to win that race greater than anything on this planet.

However for me, my aim is to show lots of people improper on the highway and road programs. That is the place I obtained my first podium in IndyCar, and I believe folks forgot that. I actually need to do properly there and begin off sturdy within the season. The Indy Street Course is a spot that I actually need to win — that I really feel like I have been very near earlier than, however I’ve had lots of stuff occur to me there.

After which this yr, I need to have my greatest factors yr of all time. We need to be constant each weekend. We do not need to have any DNFs. We do not need to have any foolish errors. Simply need to rating factors on a regular basis, preserve ourselves up entrance, and simply be constant. It will be laborious to combat the highest groups, for certain, however I believe we’ve got a chance to do it if we execute on all completely different sides of the crew.

How a lot of a problem will it’s to beat the massive groups like Penske, Ganassi, Andretti, and McLaren? It is a lengthy shot. How are you going to accomplish that?

Nicely, it’s extremely laborious. Final yr I used to be with the Dreyer & Reinbold crew, they usually solely do one race a yr, proper? So, displaying up, to have the ability to exit and lead the race and run on the entrance with these guys, regardless that we had a shock failure form of early on within the race.

All the things simply needs to be proper. You do all of the work throughout Might: each single observe session, each change that you simply make by the point it will get to Carb Day and race weekend, it is your job along with your engineer to simply put all the proper puzzle items collectively. I’ve sufficient confidence there to get to the entrance regardless of the place I begin. We have carried out it earlier than. It is a lengthy day. It’s important to have just a little little bit of luck in your aspect, for certain. However there is not any motive why we should not be capable to compete if we do all these issues. It is rather tough, however nonetheless — I’ve extra confidence than anyplace else.

“I believe if you wish to see a real reshuffle, we’d like a brand new automobile.”

Within the final three years, only one crew exterior the highest 4 has been in a position to win a race, which was Lundgard with Rahal in Toronto ’23. Why do you assume that — in a collection which is meant to be degree in lots of areas — it’s so tough for smaller groups to step up?

Nicely, there nonetheless are open areas of improvement, proper? You might have the damper applications, which groups can spend $100 million a yr if they need it on, as a result of it is an open space of improvement, proper? In System 1, the whole lot’s open for improvement. However with us, there nonetheless is a profit to having a big group of engineers [and] a considerable amount of technical improvement funds. And there is a motive why the groups that spend essentially the most cash go the quickest. I imply, that is simply what it’s.

So it’s a little bit more durable for the smaller groups. And we have clearly had the identical automobile for thus lengthy. In 2016 and the early years of this automobile, you’ll see some smaller groups possibly get a win right here and there — Dale Coyne Racing, different operations. However the enterprise has develop into so refined that on the finish of the day, the larger groups are discovering smaller quantities, however they’re discovering extra of it than the groups which may not have as a lot funds.

I believe if you wish to see a real reshuffle, we’d like a brand new automobile, hopefully within the subsequent couple of years.

Despite the fact that you assume you have discovered the whole lot, there’s all the time extra you will discover in these vehicles, and the dampers and the best way the tires work — , the vehicles are completely different now with the hybrid. So, how do you determine the absolute best setup for that scenario? It is form of a story as previous as time… the individuals who have essentially the most sources, and the largest operations, and the neatest individuals who keep collectively, and the perfect drivers, often do fairly properly.”

However do you assume that possibly having some form of value cap may assist to degree issues between groups? One thing like what F1 did?

I do not assume so. Our budgets are nonetheless approach lower than a System 1 funds.

There is not any technique to make motor racing simply truthful for everybody. You already know what I imply? Since you’re all the time attempting to be the perfect. With how aggressive all of our groups are, I believe we’re nonetheless actually fortunate. Even in NASCAR, the discrepancy between the highest groups and the underside groups is quite a bit, and it is the identical in System 1. And regardless that we nonetheless have a few of that in IndyCar, it is a lot tighter. I do not assume you will ever be capable to actually make it simply even for everybody, as a result of you then’re not on the peak of engineering, you are not counting on actually sensible folks and taking possibilities technically.

I do not assume a funds cap or something is critical. We’re already fairly restricted as a result of we’ve got so little testing. They’re undoubtedly attempting to maintain the cash underneath management. We’ve got, like, one take a look at day earlier than the season begins.

You knew Ricardo Juncos out of your title run in 2010. How a lot has he advanced as a crew proprietor? How’s it been working with him now?

Nicely, truthfully, I keep in mind Ricardo from even the go-karting days, earlier than he even began a automobile racing crew, and it has been spectacular. He all the time mentioned that he needed to get to the highest degree of motorsport as a crew proprietor. I assumed that after we gained our championship, he was the crew to be with, for certain. And I all the time simply adopted alongside.

We’re very shut due to that point we spent collectively in 2010. That was a yr the place all of us actually labored laborious. We slept within the trailer collectively as a result of we weren’t doing large issues with large cash — we have been simply attempting to win races. We have been simply attempting to point out up each weekend, and we did it. So it is spectacular to see what he is carried out. And it is form of loopy, for certain, to assume that right here I’m driving for his IndyCar crew. It is humorous how life works.

IndyCar grew to become fairly standard in Argentina with Agustin Canapino. Then folks obtained dissatisfied when he left. However Juncos continues to be an Argentinian crew at its roots. Do you are feeling help from Argentinian followers? 

Truthfully, there’s lots of ardour from the Argentinian fan base, it doesn’t matter what it’s — whether or not it is System 1, IndyCar, soccer, any sport, proper? You possibly can undoubtedly see it. And I believe I have been on each ends, of help after which lots of not help, which has been robust. Racing is a ruthless enterprise. I obtained to know Augustín. Very good man. Some folks nonetheless are in search of him to come back again. I believe he additionally most likely needs to be in a spot the place he needs to be, too. Being profitable in Argentina, I believe, is superior for him. I nonetheless comply with him on the web, so I see the whole lot that he is doing.

The help from Argentina has been nice. And, , you’ll be able to like me or not. I do not actually thoughts, as a result of that is what I like about sport. You possibly can have your folks that you simply help.

However I do know Ricardo [Juncos] very properly, and I do know that he’s an amazing illustration for Argentina. And I might like to see us racing in Argentina! IndyCar must be down there —I believe that may be tremendous cool. It is a very passionate fan base. 

You form of went into my subsequent query, which was concerning the calendar. There have been some talks with Argentina up to now. Now, Mexico appears to be gaining some momentum in direction of 2026 with Pato O’Ward, in fact. What do you concentrate on IndyCar increasing exterior the U.S.?

Yeah, I believe that for certain we’d be capable to race in Mexico. Clearly, Pato has such a passionate fan base. However from what I noticed, even with Ricardo and Augustín doing the laps that they did in Argentina, the followers that have been there. If that many individuals have been there for an illustration, why are we not racing there? Like, why are we not down there instantly?

Clearly, it takes much more than I do know of — organizing an occasion and promoting tickets, ensuring nobody loses a bunch of cash and it is all supported appropriately. However I do not essentially assume the transfer for us is to go to Europe. I believe the North, South America, Central America — like, that area of the world — might be a greater space for us to deal with. And, , in America this yr with Fox, will probably be useful, I hope.

However I do not know after we will get to do this. The game has to develop total. If the game grows and individuals are prepared to pay for IndyCar to be there and it is a money-making alternative for everybody, then I believe it’s going to work. Hopefully we are able to do it. I believe it might be an amazing thought.

Apart from your job as a full-time IndyCar driver, you additionally run your personal podcast, Velocity Avenue. What motivates you to do it? May it lead you to do some broadcasting work while you cease racing?

I undoubtedly need to be in TV broadcasting, if I can do it. I like speaking about racing, and I like to have an opportunity to inform folks about it. I do the podcast purely as a result of it is a chance to increase my very own model. It is a chance to speak to extra folks.

I believe if you happen to’re studying one thing from all of the folks that you simply interview, that may solely assist your personal thoughts — and possibly as a race automobile driver, assist you enhance from listening to different drivers and seeing what is going on on of their minds.

All of us must work collectively to develop the game that we love. And IndyCar proper now must develop. And it takes all of us to get it there. I’ll preserve attempting to offer folks one thing that they may need to hearken to, and hopefully inform a buddy, like, “Hey, IndyCar is cool — you bought to observe it.” And that is what we’d like, extra of that.

Are you desperate to attempt NASCAR once more?

I imply, I might love to offer a full season of the NASCAR Xfinity Collection a shot — however it needs to be with the proper crew. I have been within the worst doable conditions in NASCAR, and it is undoubtedly not enjoyable to be in these conditions. Nevertheless it appeared just like the Sam Hunt Racing crew that I used to be with final yr on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, we obtained in and competed and certified properly, raced on the entrance. And when you may have an opportunity to run with a aggressive crew, that is actually cool.

However I am targeted on being an IndyCar driver first. And once more, the one approach I may go NASCAR racing is that if I’ve a ton of monetary backing behind me. I haven’t got that, actually. If, for some motive, IndyCar does not work out after a pair years, or after nonetheless lengthy, I might love to offer the NASCAR stuff a shot, for a season at the least.