As IndyCar Testing Continues, Free Agents Vie for Final Spots

May 18, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; IndyCar Series driver Conor Daly sits in his car during pole day for the 2013 Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Conor Daly

Upside: Another American from GP2, Daly’s greatest successes actually come on the IndyCar ladder. He took seven of 13 wins en route to the 2010 Pro Mazda championship. His winning ways carried into Indy Lights, as well, with one victory in a limited six starts.

Overseas, Daly was third in the 2013 GP3 championship, and has scored points in GP2.

Daly has some lofty support, too. His father, Derek, was a long-time racer who now manages drivers and covers IndyCar on TV. Stepfather Douglas Boles is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s president. Even Marco Andretti lent a hand, pitching in $5,000 for Daly to test with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in Sebring.

Questions: While his stock remains high, disappointments in Europe and in his lone IndyCar start (the 2013 Indianapolis 500) lead some to wonder if Daly’s best accomplishments are too far behind him. Like Hildebrand, Daly lost out on the CFH ride.

Verdict: Schmidt Peterson and KV could be open to Daly, but he’ll need funding. Even with his connections, he hasn’t always had that, missing GP2 rounds last year because of financial issues.