IndyCar: Conor Daly Confirmed to Drive Alongside Romain Grosjean at Juncos Hollinger Racing

Alex Harrington | Aug 15, 2024

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Conor Daly (26) kisses his girlfriend Amy Marie Gaertner during qualifying for the Pennzoil 250, Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. / Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Conor Daly is set to join Juncos Hollinger Racing for the remaining five races of the 2024 IndyCar Series, stepping into the No. 78 Chevrolet-powered car, previously driven by Agustin Canapino. This announcement comes at a crucial time for the team, which is striving to maintain its position in the competitive $1 million Leaders Circle, currently ranked 23rd and at risk of falling out of the top 22.

Daly's return to the team marks a significant reunion with JHR co-owner Ricardo Juncos, under whom he raced during the 2010 Star Mazda Championship, now known as USF Pro 2000 Championship. The union had propelled Daly to a remarkable season, securing seven wins, 12 podiums, and nine poles. His recent test drive at the Gateway track—formerly known as Gateway—saw him clock the fourth-fastest time despite facing a gearing issue, a promising indicator of his potential impact on the team’s performance.

“I am extremely pleased to reunite with Ricardo Juncos after our success together in the Road to Indy,” said Daly. “Ricardo took a chance on me when I was young and it made a huge difference in my career. There are a lot of people on this team that I’ve worked with before and that gives me a lot of confidence.”

Juncos echoed Daly's sentiments:

“Having Conor Daly back in a JHR car after many years is like a flashback to some great memories, as we achieved a lot together,” Juncos shared. “Now it's time to focus on what's ahead and aim for strong results in the rest of the NTT IndyCar Series season.”

Daly’s appointment comes in the wake of Canapino’s consecutive underwhelming performances, with results including finishes of 18th or worse in the last five races. This decision is pivotal as Juncos Hollinger Racing pushes to secure a stronger finish in the Leaders Circle standings.

“What (team co-owner) Brad Hollinger and Ricardo have built here is extremely impressive in a short amount of time, and I consider myself very lucky to get to compete for the rest of the season and earn the necessary points for this No. 78 Chevrolet,” Daly remarked appreciatively. “There are a lot of partners in this effort and I appreciate the support behind me to get back in the race seat.”

Hollinger also weighed in on the potential benefits of Daly's extensive IndyCar experience, noting, “Conor’s years of IndyCar experience will help the team grow and develop the car further.”