Conor Daly, a veteran driver from Noblesville, Indiana, has revealed he is no longer a contender for the remaining full-time 2026 IndyCar seat at Dale Coyne Racing, ending months of speculation surrounding his future in the series. The decision leaves Daly without a secured team position for 2026, after persistent efforts to remain active in INDYCAR events following his departure from Juncos Hollinger Racing.
Candidates Compete for Final DCR Spot
Daly was among a shortlist of candidates, including former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean and Linus Lundqvist, linked to the only seat left open at Dale Coyne Racing for the upcoming season. After completing his one-year contract with Juncos Hollinger Racing for 2025, Daly was not retained, as the team chose to recruit Rinus Veekay, who had displayed a strong performance for Dale Coyne Racing, including a notable podium at the 2025 Indy Toronto.
Although Daly temporarily remained in discussion to share a team roster with Veekay, Juncos Hollinger Racing confirmed that Sting Ray Robb would keep his place, thereby closing that avenue for Daly. With other positions filled, Dale Coyne Racing stood as Daly’s final option for a full-time drive in 2026.
Daly Addresses Exit from DCR Contention
Speaking on his Speed Street podcast released December 24, Conor Daly directly acknowledged his exit from consideration for the open DCR seat.
“There’s obviously a lot of talk and speculation on who’s going there (DCR), and I know my name has been in that hat,”
Daly said [6:30 onwards]. And I talked to Dale, you know, several times. But yeah, that’s not looking like somewhere that I will be, and that’s fine.” – Conor Daly, IndyCar Driver
He further described the lack of recent communication with Dale Coyne, underscoring that Coyne may be pursuing alternative plans for the team.
“To be honest, I have not heard from Dale in a long time. So, he’s got his way of doing things. I respect him. I’ve driven there before, but I think they’ve got other things that they are working on. So I’ll be very curious to see how that ends up,”
the Noblesville, Indiana native added. – Conor Daly, IndyCar Driver
Coyne had set an initial target of finalizing his driver lineup by Halloween in 2025, confirming Dennis Hauger for one of the available seats but leaving the second unfilled as further self-imposed deadlines passed without a decision.
Rumors and the Changing Driver Market
Earlier rumors had linked other high-profile international drivers to Coyne’s team, including Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver, associated with Red Bull and at risk of losing his Formula 1 position next to Max Verstappen, was thought to be exploring options in IndyCar. However, those talks dissolved after Tsunoda was retained by Red Bull as a test and reserve driver following Isack Hadjar‘s appointment alongside Verstappen.
Focus Shifts to Indy 500 Prospects
Despite setbacks in the search for a full-time seat, Conor Daly remains a sought-after competitor for single-race entries, especially at high-profile events such as the Indy 500. Daly’s standout performances on ovals during the 2025 season earned him praise from established champions like Will Power and Alex Palou, and he achieved a best finish of fifth at the season’s final race in Nashville.
Given his strong record, it would be unexpected if Daly does not secure a ride for the 110th running of the Indy 500 next year. Dreyer and Reinbold Racing, which previously fielded Ryan Hunter-Reay in the No. 23 car, is widely regarded as the leading candidate to offer Daly a seat to race alongside Jack Harvey. Hunter-Reay was a top contender for a second Indy 500 win for the team in 2025 before suffering a mechanical setback late in the event.
Other possibilities for Daly could come from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Meyer Shank Racing, both of which have fielded multiple entries for the famous race in past years. However, according to motorsports reporter Marshall Pruett, Takuma Sato will return with RLL and Helio Castroneves will rejoin MSR, a team he also co-owns, leaving limited open spots at those teams.
What’s Ahead for Conor Daly
The closure of the last opportunity for a Conor Daly IndyCar seat in 2026 marks a turning point in the veteran’s career, but his competitive spirit and proven ability on challenging tracks make him an attractive option for teams seeking experience at the marquee events. With the Indy 500 and other select races still on the horizon, Daly’s future in major American open-wheel racing remains closely watched by fans, teams, and fellow drivers alike.
