IndyCar: Conor Daly to drive for Andretti Autosport in 2019 Indianapolis 500

Conor Daly is set to be Andretti Autosport’s fifth IndyCar driver in the 2019 Indianapolis 500 this May, as he is set to drive the #25 Honda for the team.

Conor Daly is set to make his sixth career start in the Indianapolis 500 this May, and he is set to do so driving for a team for which he has never driven over the course of his IndyCar career, which began when he drove in the 2013 Indy 500.

The 27-year-old Noblesville, Indiana native is set to join Andretti Autosport as their fifth driver, specifically their fifth American driver, for the 103rd running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval in Speedway, Indiana.

Over the course of his IndyCar career, Daly has never driven for a team as competitive as Andretti Autosport in any race, much less the Indy 500, so while he will not compete full-time in the series this year for the first since he drove full-time for A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the 2017 season, this is a great opportunity for him.

Daly is set to drive the #25 Honda in this year’s Indy 500 as a teammate to Andretti Autosport’s four full-time drivers, including Zach Veach, Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti, who drive the #26 Honda, the #27 Honda, the #28 Honda and the #98 Honda, respectively, and he is set to do so with sponsorship from the United States Air Force.

Here is what Daly had to say about the opportunity to drive for Andretti Autosport in this year’s Indy 500 with sponsorship from Air Force, according to IndyCar.

"“I couldn’t be prouder to represent the Air Force for a second consecutive year at the Indianapolis 500. I would not be here without the effort from everyone at Andretti Autosport to make sure this program is structured for success. It means a lot to see the commitment that Air Force has shown in me and the chance to have a shot at winning the biggest race in the world.“To be teamed with some of my best friends at undoubtedly one of the best teams on the grid is going to be a lot of fun. I’ve never had the chance to be on a team with multiple 500 winners, so I am beyond excited to learn from them and ready to get to work.”"

Here is what Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti had to say about the addition of Daly and Air Force to the team’s driver and sponsor lineups, respectively, for this year’s Indy 500, according to IndyCar.

"“We’re really happy to welcome the Air Force to the Andretti family for the Indy 500 with Conor, and full season across all our cars .Having five American drivers represent the team at America’s biggest race is very special, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the U.S. Air Force.”"

Here is what Major Ross McKnight, who is the chief of the Air Force National Events Branch at Air Force Recruiting Service, had to say about Air Force’s sponsorship of Daly for this year’s Indy 500, according to IndyCar.

"“This partnership closely correlates with how we fly, fight and win. We don’t send one aircraft to accomplish a mission, we build a strike package with multiple aircraft. The ability to sponsor Andretti Autosport’s five cars at the Indy 500 ties in greatly with how we accomplish our mission.”"