Conor Daly, the experienced IndyCar driver, finds his future uncertain after being replaced by Rinus VeeKay at Juncos Hollinger Racing following the 2025 season. With limited full-time IndyCar seats available for 2026, Daly has expressed a strong desire to make a return to NASCAR, specifically aiming to compete in the Brickyard 400 event.
As the 2026 season approaches, the Dale Coyne Racing seat alongside Dennis Hauger remains the only full-time IndyCar spot open. Although Daly was linked to this opportunity, Romain Grosjean is reportedly favored for the role, having apparently signed a deal and participated in the Sebring test with the team. Meanwhile, the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing entry for the Indy 500 is also up for grabs, with Daly considered a potential candidate.
Exploring Part-Time Roles and NASCAR Ambitions
With full-time IndyCar seats scarce, Daly might pursue a part-time role focusing on oval tracks with Dale Coyne Racing, where Grosjean would cover street and road courses. Amid this uncertainty, Daly revealed his interest in NASCAR during a recent episode of the Speed Street podcast, emphasizing his goal to race in the iconic Brickyard 400.
“If I have to run a partial schedule this year in IndyCar, or even just one race, the Indy 500, I would love to do some NASCAR stuff. I’m definitely looking into doing that. Me personally, I want to do the Brickyard 400. I think that would be really cool. So we’re going to try to maybe talk to some people about doing that. Maybe do all the races in that weekend,” said Conor Daly
“Maybe do NASCAR Trucks, NASCAR Xfinity Series, or sorry, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, excuse me, O’Reilly Auto Parts, sorry. And then the Cup Series as well. That would be really cool to do,” he added
Missed Full-Time NASCAR Xfinity Opportunity in 2026
In November 2025, Daly shared more about a lost chance to secure a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series seat for the upcoming season. He described having a contract nearly finalized but losing the deal due to financial competition.
“Now, at one point, less than a week and a half ago, Chase, I had a full-time Nascar Xfinity season seat contract in front of me. Ready to go. Like, I was looking at places to live in Charlotte, honestly. I was like, cool. This is gonna be awesome,” said Daly
“We’re doing the research. And I was already looking at, like, how am I gonna live in Charlotte? Like, when do I drive over there? And then, like, the next day, nah, sorry, it’s gone. And it got, like, essentially, I mean, what happened was is that someone had far more money than I did,” he added
Interest in Competing in IndyCar and NASCAR Doubleheader Weekend
Daly has also expressed enthusiasm for attempting a unique scheduling challenge by racing in both IndyCar and NASCAR events during the same weekend. Specifically, he aims to compete in the Truck Series race that coincides with the American open-wheel racing weekend in St. Petersburg, showcasing his willingness to diversify his racing commitments.
Prospects Amid an Evolving Racing Landscape
Conor Daly’s uncertain position in IndyCar, coupled with his ambition to join NASCAR events, underscores the challenges veteran drivers face in a competitive motorsport environment. His pursuit of opportunities in series such as the Brickyard 400 and the NASCAR Truck and Xfinity Series highlights the importance of versatility for drivers today. Should Daly secure part-time or full-time rides across these platforms, it could influence other open-wheel racers considering NASCAR transitions. Fans and industry observers will watch closely as he navigates these pivotal decisions heading into the 2026 season.
