Indy 500: Conor Day hopes to snap drought for Indiana

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Conor Daly will roll off pit street at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis 500 with the plain purpose in thoughts – win the race and cement himself in racing lore for the remainder of time.

A victory will do extra than simply make him part of Indy 500 historical past without end; he'll turn out to be a folks hero for his native Indiana , which is itching to see a prolonged drought finish.

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Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly, #76, high-fives crew members on Saturday, Might 17, 2025 throughout qualifying for the 109th operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos)

It has been 85 years since an Indiana-born race automotive driver received the illustrious race. Daly can be driving the No. 76 ampm-sponsored Chevrolet with Wilbur Shaw on his thoughts, virtually actually. Shaw received three Indy 500 races, however nobody from Indiana has received it since 1940.

He can be sporting a helmet that honors the legendary driver on Sunday.

"It’s loopy, 85 years because the final Indy 500 winner from Indiana. That simply appears unsuitable. It simply appears unhappy. So we’ve bought to vary that," Daly, who was born in Noblesville, advised Fox Information Digital. "It was only a cool concept that I got here up with my helmet painter.

"I attempt to provide you with one thing distinctive yearly for the Indy 500 helmet as a result of it’s only a particular occasion, and we put a pair outdated image of his automotive from again within the day – 1940 was the final winner, which is loopy. Put the 1940 ticket on prime of the helmet as nicely with a few little small particulars."

Daly certified eleventh for the race and is about to start out in between Scott McLaughlin and Alexander Rossi, who've each received the race prior to now.

He touted how briskly the automotive has been for him. His common pace throughout qualifying was round 231 mph.

Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly, #76, sits on the wall on Monday, Might 19, 2025 after follow for the 109th operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on Might 19, 2025. (Grace Hollars-USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos)

INDYCAR DRIVER CONOR DALY GOES RACING WITH AMPM FOR THE INDY 500

"I really feel actually good," he stated. "This is among the greatest vehicles I’ve had in my IndyCar profession right here, and I do know that’s a daring assertion to say, however it’s actually been a pleasure to drive all week. I’ve equaled my greatest beginning place with eleventh. We’re proper alongside the pole-sitter from final 12 months, Scott McLaughlin. We’re within the battle. … This automotive is simply flat out quick and that’s actually, actually particular."

He known as driving at such a excessive fee of pace "actually loopy."

"I don’t know why you wouldn’t watch what we’re doing right here as a result of it actually is loopy," he defined. "We’re at that degree the place vehicles are flying by means of the air, crashing at a excessive degree, as a result of we're placing these items on absolutely the ragged fringe of management and that’s what it takes to win the largest race on the market.

"It’s the largest race that there's throughout motorsports. Some individuals prefer to argue that however bodily, in the event you ask any racing drivers who've been across the sport for a very long time, the Indy 500, that’s the large one. It’s loopy and what we’re doing out there may be wild."

Daly stated successful the Indy 500 can be a realization of all of the laborious work he has put in all through his whole profession.

"It’s why I get up each morning," the Juncos Hollinger Racing driver advised Fox Information Digital.

Most significantly, he already has the milk picked out that he'll chug ought to he be capable to.

Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly, #76, makes his approach out of flip one on Monday, Might 19, 2025 throughout follow for the 109th operating of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. (Mykal McEldowney-USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photos)

"I’ve gone entire milk the previous few years, however I haven’t received but," he stated. "So, I made a decision to modify it up. We’re gonna go 2% as a result of why not? Let’s choose one thing totally different and possibly that’ll get us the win."

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The Indy 500 can be broadcast Might 25 on FOX with protection beginning at 10 a.m. ET. It'll even be out there to stream live on FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports activities app.