IndyCar driver Conor Daly has boldly predicted that Colton Herta will clinch victory at this weekend’s 50th Long Beach Grand Prix on the renowned street circuit. Herta, who tasted success at Long Beach in 2021, is set to challenge the reigning champion, Alex Palou, who already secured wins in the season’s first two races. Daly, on his Speed Street podcast, remarkably speculated that Herta could triumph with an astonishing 30-second lead.
While Daly’s prediction raises eyebrows, Andretti Global’s cars have shown formidable pace on street circuits, evident from their performance in St. Petersburg. Herta was a strong contender there, only faltering after a pit stop miscalculation dropped him to 16th place. In the 2024 Long Beach event, the California native narrowly missed victory, tailing Scott Dixon closely but ultimately unable to overtake in the final laps. Notably, Daly himself has struggled to break into the top 10 at Long Beach throughout his career, except for an Indy Lights win in 2011.
Herta’s ties to Long Beach run deep. Growing up in Santa Clarita, just an hour away, he attended his first race at only two weeks old, watching his father, Bryan Herta, compete. Bryan finished fifth at that event, while Paul Tracy claimed victory in the No. 26 car. Flash forward 21 years, and Herta, now with Andretti Global, races the same car number on a circuit laden with personal and historical significance—a place where he added to the team’s storied legacy with a memorable win.
The 2025 campaign has been a mix of challenges and promise for Herta. After the tough outing at St. Petersburg, he bounced back at the Thermal Club with a commendable fourth-place finish, marking his first top-five result of the season. Currently, he’s eighth in the standings, poised to climb higher with each passing race.
Herta’s homecoming to Long Beach holds immense potential for his season and career. Securing victory here would not only affirm Daly’s ambitious prediction but also establish him as a formidable force in the championship race. A win could ignite his campaign, bringing him closer to the top, while solidifying his enduring connection to a circuit steeped in his family’s racing heritage. As anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Herta to see if he can defy expectations and dominate the Long Beach Grand Prix.
