Conor Daly embraces hometown support, wants to give 'something to cheer for' in 13th Indy 500
· Yahoo Sports
INDIANAPOLIS — For hometown favorite Conor Daly, the Indianapolis 500 is more than just a race. It’s the centerpiece of what he calls “the best month of the year.”
The Noblesville native enters his 13th Indy 500 with momentum and hometown support behind him. He’s starting from the third row after a four-lap qualifying average of 230.712 mph for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, a part-time IndyCar team that competes only in the 500.
Visit bettingx.club for more information.
Daly said the connection with Indiana fans is something he doesn’t take lightly.
“I'm just thankful people care, honestly,” Daly said. “I'm very lucky to get to do this, to hopefully give them something to cheer for.”
The Indiana-born driver is the lone Hoosier in this year’s field and spends the month immersed in the chaos and celebration that surrounds the race. Between appearances, fan events and obligations around the city, Daly admits his schedule can become overloaded — but he embraces it.
“I don't mind doing it because it is the best month of the year,” Daly said. “It's very meaningful to go out and interact with the folks that do support this sport, but also myself.”
Despite running only the Indy 500 this season, Daly enters the race with consistency at Indianapolis. He has finished in the top 10 in each of the last four Indy 500s and continues to improve his results year over year.
“We're hopefully giving them something to be excited about,” Daly said. “We've got a great race car.”
And for the hometown driver, the support still resonates as deeply as ever.
“It means the world to have people that actually care to see you put your whole life into this game that we're playing,” he said.
Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to theYouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Conor Daly embraces Indy 500 as 'best month,' only Indiana native in 2026 race