Conor Daly to Drive Full Time with Ed Carpenter Racing

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

After splitting time with Ed Carpenter Racing and Carlin the last two years, Conor Daly will have one home in 2022. ECR announced Friday morning that Daly will run the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet for the entire 17-race NTT IndyCar Series tour.

Over the past few years, driver/owner Ed Carpenter drove the No. 20 machine on the ovals, including the Indianapolis 500. That’ll change this season as Daly will drive for a single team for the first time since 2017 when he drove for AJ Foyt Racing.

Not only Daly is thrilled of being a part of the team for an entire season, but also being involved with BitNile, who are entering their first sponsorship program. The sponsorship is a crypto holding company which ECR are no strangers of because Bitcoin sponsored Rinus VeeKay’s No. 21 Chevrolet in the 105th Indianapolis 500. BitNile will also serve as VeeKay’s associate sponsor.

“Being chosen to represent BitNile is without a doubt one of the most important opportunities of my career,” said Daly. “This is an incredible partnership that we look forward to being able to strengthen and grow as we go after race wins together!”

“To be able to come back to Ed Carpenter Racing for the full season is incredible. I haven’t had the chance to be with one team for the entire year since 2017, so this is something I am very, very thankful for. I have a lot of faith in ECR and each year we continue to get better together. I couldn’t be more excited to get on track in the BitNile Chevrolet!”

BitNile Founder and Executive Chairman Todd Ault is a long-time INDYCAR fan, so by partnering up with ECR, it’s an opportunity that he’s proud of.

“It’s a natural fit for BitNile to join an Indiana business like Ed’s as we have a number of investments in the Midwest, including our mining facilities,” said Ault. “BitNile operates with a ‘Risk On’ philosophy where risk is an integral element if you want to win. Conor Daly and ECR share that mindset, making us in perfect alignment.”

Carpenter will round out the three-car lineup for the 106th Indianapolis 500. As for the other oval races at Texas, the Iowa doubleheader, and Gateway, Carpenter’s status could be announced at a later date.

For now, the focus is on having a full-time sponsorship for his operation going with the season opener at St. Petersburg commencing Sunday, February 27.

“I am extremely proud to welcome BitNile to the ECR family,” Carpenter exclaimed. “It is exciting to be able to expand our team’s involvement in the culture of Bitcoin after running the Bitcoin car last May.

“We will also represent a few other exciting brands within BitNile Holdings as the year progresses, so there is more to come!”

Daly had an eventful Month of May, including passing VeeKay for the lead on Lap 50 which got the crowd roaring. He also managed to escape a scary situation when he sustained front wing damage after punting Graham Rahal’s tire. While Rahal was out of the race, Daly soldiered on to finish 13th after leading a race-high 40 laps.

The Noblesville native hopes to become the first Indiana native to win the 500 since Shelbyville’s Wilbur Shaw captured his third Indy triumph in 1940.