Conor Daly Joins Thom Burns Racing

By Christopher DeHarde, Staff Writer

SPEEDWAY, Indiana — Conor Daly will have a new partner in an entry for the Indianapolis 500 on May 27th. The second generation racer announced plans to race with Thom Burns Racing in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing with backing from the U.S. Air Force.

Daly will have a Honda engine behind him in the No. 17 red white and blue entry that will be in a partnership with Dale Coyne Racing.

“We’re very happy to have Conor Daly back with us for the Indy 500,” commented DCR team owner Dale Coyne in a team release.

“Conor has done a great job for us in the past and we hope to continue that this year at IMS. We also very much look forward to working with Thom Burns Racing and we’re extremely pleased and honored to be partnered and representing the United States Air Force.”

Daly has had a bit of a rough go in recent months. Despite finishing fourth on The Amazing Race with fellow IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi, Daly was dropped from his seat at A.J. Foyt Racing after the team signed Tony Kanaan and Matheus Leist to drive. Daly’s theme for the past few seasons has been patriotic and 2018 will be no different.

“For me, everyone knows me as probably the most American dude out there, to have this I think I’m now five for five on red white and blue cars when I compete at the Indianapolis 500,” said Daly in the announcement at Indianapolis.

“This one has to be the best though, when you talk about partnerships and deals that you’re trying to do for the biggest race in the world, to have the opportunity to represent the U.S. Air Force, I mean that’s at the top of the list.

“It’s a great honor especially for a young American like me.”

Burns started as an owner in 1987 and ran Dominic Dobson’s entries at Indianapolis in the early 1990s. Recently, Burns ran as a partner for Buddy Lazier’s entry in 2016.

“It goes without saying that the Memorial Day Weekend is a very special time, and for many reasons,” said co-entrant Thom Burns in a team release.

“The Speedway has always been my dream and to bring an American icon like the Air Force here for Conor Daly gives me great pride. The Air Force helps to protect our freedom so that we can have the ability to participate in ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ the Indianapolis 500.”