IndyCar: Conor Daly to drive for Andretti Autosport at Laguna Seca

Conor Daly is set to return to Andretti Autosport for the 2019 IndyCar season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in September.

Conor Daly has competed in three of the first 13 races on the 17-race 2019 IndyCar schedule, including the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he drove for Andretti Autosport.

The 27-year-old Noblesville, Indiana native has now been confirmed as Andretti Autosport’s fifth driver for the season finale, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, September 22.

Like he did in the Indy 500, he is set to drive the #25 Honda, and he is set to do so with sponsorship from the United States Air Force once again.

Daly confirmed this news on Twitter.

Here is what he had to say about the matter, according to Andretti Autosport.

"“I couldn’t be more excited to get back to my road course routes and take on Laguna Seca with Andretti Autosport and the United States Air Force. It’s been incredible to be a part of the team this year carrying the USAF colors and to represent them at the season finale will be very special.  I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do with the USAF this year on and off the track and I can’t wait to get back in the No. 25 car!”"

Here is what team owner Michael Andretti had to say about Daly’s return, according to the team.

"“We are thrilled to have Conor, as well as the U.S. Air Force, join us again for the season finale in Laguna Seca. Conor was a great addition during the month of May and being able to continue this great partnership with the Air Force at the series season finale is another special opportunity to show our support and honor the brave men and women serving our Nation.”"

Here is what Major Ross McKnight, Chief Air Force National Events Branch, had to say about Daly reuniting with Andretti Autosport, according to the team.

"“We were extremely proud of the effort that Conor (Daly) and the entire Andretti Autosport Team put in for the Indianapolis 500. The activation exceeded all Air Force Recruiting objectives and we are excited to continue that success at Laguna Seca and the IndyCar season finale.”"

Daly has never previously competed in an IndyCar race at the 11-turn, 2.238-mile (3.602-kilometer) WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca natural terrain road course in Monterey, California. The most recent race at the track took place during the 2004 Champ Car season.

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However, Daly did compete at the track in both of his seasons driving in the Star Mazda Championship back in 2009 and 2010. He finished in fourth place in the race in the 2009 season and he won the race in the 2010 season.

In his Indy 500 start this year, Daly finished in 10th place. He has also competed in two races for Carlin this year at the other two oval tracks that have hosted races so far in 2019, Texas Motor Speedway and Iowa Speedway. He finished in 11th at the former and 13th at the latter.

There is still a chance that Carlin could sign Daly to drive in one or both of the two remaining oval races on the 2019 schedule at Pocono Raceway at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, formerly known as Gateway Motorsports Park, as the team have not yet confirmed their driver lineups for these races, so Daly’s start in the season finale may or may not end up being his fourth start of the season.

Daly last competed in a road course race last July when he drove for Harding Racing in the race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, also as a part-time driver.

Tune in to NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 22 for the live broadcast of the 2019 IndyCar season finale, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, from WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.