Conor Daly is back on the track, this time rejoining Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) for the last five races of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Starting with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway this Saturday, August 17, Daly will be behind the wheel of the No. 78 Chevrolet.
This move comes after Agustin 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 team co-owner Ricardo Juncos, who played a pivotal role in Daly’s early career. Their history goes back to 2010 when Daly secured the Star Mazda Championship with Juncos Racing, winning seven out of 13 races.
Daly’s Impressive Season and Future Outlook
Reflecting on this reunion, Daly expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m really thrilled to be back working with Ricardo Juncos. He took a chance on me when I was just starting out, and that was a turning point in my career. Knowing some of the folks on this 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 race for multiple teams. He made an impressive comeback at the 108th Indianapolis 500, finishing 10th after starting 29th with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing/Cusick Motorsports. He also stepped 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 career-best second-place finish at 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’ve had some great moments together in the past, and now it’s about looking ahead and aiming for solid results as we wrap up the season.”
Daly will team up with Formula One veteran Romain Grosjean for the remainder of the season. The duo showed promise during a recent test at World Wide Technology Raceway, where Daly and Grosjean posted competitive fourth and fifth fastest times, respectively.
Team co-owner Brad Hollinger is optimistic about Daly’s impact, noting, “Conor’s wealth of INDYCAR experience is exactly what we need to push the team forward and continue developing the car.”
With Daly back in the mix, JHR is geared up for an exciting finish to the season.
