A devoted fan of IndyCar driver Conor Daly made an extraordinary journey, cycling 561 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Toronto, Canada, to attend the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race weekend. This six-day bike trip was driven by the fan’s passion to witness Daly compete live and show unwavering support during the event.
On the morning of July 18, IndyCar president Doug Boles, who is also Daly’s stepfather, met the fan known as @SomeHoosier on the social media platform X, along with two friends who accompanied him on the ride. Boles shared photos of the group and praised their dedication in an X post.
“It’s @hondaindy @Indycar weekend. And, as I walked up to West Queen for breakfast, I ran into these race fans at an intersection in Toronto! These guys rode 500+ miles from Indianapolis to come to the race! Left on Saturday! Super cool!” —Doug Boles, IndyCar president
Following this encounter, the fan met Conor Daly in the IndyCar paddock and posted a picture with the Juncos Hollinger Racing driver, celebrating the moment on social media.
Conor Daly reflects on his strong Canadian racing ties and fan enthusiasm
During a drivers’ meet-and-greet event with fans on Friday, Daly shared stories about his enduring connection with Canadian racing. The 33-year-old spoke about his early days competing in Ontario and praised the passion of Canadian race fans.
“Toronto has always been a good race for us. I remember coming to this race when I was youthful, when I raced Formula Ford in Canada in Ontario when I was like 15 in 2007. I’ve done a lot of racing up here. Race fans are super passionate here. It’s really not a far journey from the Midwest, which is our strong point,” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Daly also noted the impressive fan turnout during the Toronto race weekend, highlighting the energy and enthusiasm he experienced in the paddock area.
“It’s awesome to see everyone here. Just today, all the interactions that we had with the fans… it’s one of the strongest Fridays that we’ve seen at a racetrack for a while. So it’s pretty cool.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Daly’s recent racing challenges and promising performances
Earlier in the season, Daly secured his first full-time IndyCar seat after leaving Ed Carpenter Racing mid-2023. He has delivered solid results, with three Top 10 finishes so far and two near-podium results that were marred by tire troubles, including at the prestigious 109th Indianapolis 500, where he was poised to become the first local winner in 83 years.
His weekend at Iowa was frustrating after a strong start. Daly finished seventh in the first race of the double-header but was pushed back to 16th in the second race due to a late caution, which disrupted his strategy.
Why the fan’s journey and Daly’s presence matter to IndyCar
This remarkable fan journey underscores the powerful connection between drivers like Conor Daly and their supporters, demonstrating how racing inspires deep loyalty and determination. It also highlights Daly’s growing role in the sport following his return to full-time competition. With a strong fan base in both the Midwest and Canada, Daly’s presence continues to energize IndyCar events.
Moving forward, the interaction between dedicated followers and drivers could encourage greater fan engagement, enhancing the racing atmosphere at future venues across North America. The fan’s extraordinary cycling trip symbolizes the passion fueling the sport and the unique stories that make IndyCar compelling to audiences everywhere.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Conor Daly diabetic?
A. At 33, Conor Daly views racing as part of his daily routine. As a professional driver from Indiana, he has raced nearly his entire driving life. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 14, he is the only known professional race car driver with this condition.
