By Josh Farmer, Journalist
Conor Daly will join Dale Coyne Racing for a full season effort in the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series season.
Daly will drive the #18 Honda/Dallara with sponsorship from Jonathan Bryd’s Restaurant and Hospitality group except for the Indianapolis 500, when Byrd will sponsor USAC standout Bryan Clauson in a 3rd entry for DCR.
The Noblesville, Indiana native has spent the last season searching for an IndyCar ride after racing in GP3 and GP2 from 2011-2014. He raced for Coyne last year at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach when Rocky Moran, Jr. was injured in practice. He later subbed for James Hinchcliffe at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports at the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit, where he finished an impressive 6th in changing conditions, after leading much of the middle section of the race. He also race at Toronto and for Performance Tech Motorsports in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“This is truly the most meaningful announcement of my career,” said Daly. “After experiencing what I have in my career, especially the last three years, it is an incredible honor and opportunity to work with Dale Coyne Racing for a full season. To be able to go head to head and take the fight to other drivers every weekend is very exciting. I cannot thank Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality & Restaurant Group and all of Jonathan Byrd’s Racing’s partners enough for their effort in putting this program together.”
Coyne is yet to confirm his second full time entry but he hinted that Pippa Mann will likely be back for an Indy 500 only entry, filling out a four car assault for the team.
Clauson and Byrd will partner with DCR after partnering with KV Racing Technology last season for the 500.
“I’m excited to be returning to the Speedway in 2016 with the support of the Byrd family, the Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality & Restaurant Group, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America,” said Clauson. “I hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship between two groups of passionate supporters of open wheel racing.”
