Written by Dan Jones
Conor Daly will make his full-time return to IndyCar, as he joins Juncos Hollinger Racing on a full-time program for 2025, after starring in a five-race program at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Indianapolis-native, Daly, completes the teams line-up, alongside Sting Ray Robb, who was previously announced to make the move from Juncos Hollinger Racing.
Daly first raced under Ricardo Juncos in 2010, as they won the Star Mazda Championship together, in a season which included seven victories. Daly returned to Juncos at the end of the 2024 season, after the team parted ways with Agustín Canapino, after a string of poor performances from the Argentine. Daly claimed the team's first IndyCar podium at the Milwaukee Mile, and finished the season with another top ten at Nashville Superspeedway.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the JHR team for the full NTT INDYCAR SERIES season in 2025,” shared Daly, the most recent addition to the Juncos Hollinger Racing driver lineup. “After the excitement and success we shared in 2024, including Milwaukee, it feels like the perfect next step. I’m grateful for Ricardo and Brad’s belief in me as I embark on the revitalization of my career. I look forward to pursuing podiums and wins with this incredible group. Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen – it’s been a team effort, and we’ll continue to build on this momentum together.”
Daly's confirmation means that Juncos will have a complete change from the line-up they started the 2024 season with. Canapino's disappointing sophomore season sees him dropped completely, as he returns to racing in his native Argentina. Romain Grosjean had a better season, with six top ten finishes including the teams best result, at the time, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
However, Grosjean's four-year stint in the series looks to come to an end, after a disappointing stint at Andretti Global, and a quiet stint at Juncos, with his priorities set to be focused on Lamborghini's efforts in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
“When Conor rejoined us last year, it felt like we seamlessly picked up right where we left off in 2010,” said Ricardo Juncos, Co-Owner and Founder of JHR. “I’m thrilled to have him back in the car full-time for 2025. With both seats now filled, the team is laser-focused on building momentum and delivering standout performances throughout the year, aiming for an exceptional season ahead for Juncos Hollinger Racing.”
Brad Hollinger, Co-Owner of JHR, shared, “Conor is an outstanding addition to our team. He is a fantastic ambassador for the sport and has proven his speed not only in our car, but also through his tested tenure in the series. Providing him with more opportunities to collaborate closely with our engineers and crew will undoubtedly enhance the team’s performance, and empower his own unrelenting drive for success.”
“Our main priority this year is to build upon the success we’ve seen in the team’s short three-year campaign,” explained Dave O’Neill, Team Principal of Juncos Hollinger Racing. “With Conor joining the team and Sting Ray already confirmed, we’re well-positioned to achieve that. This is just the beginning of a long-term process to build a stronger and more competitive foundation for the future.”
A somewhat of a super-sub role has been Daly's responsibility in the series ever since he was dropped by Ed Carpenter Racing mid-way through the 2023 season. Daly filled in for Canapino at Juncos, whilst also filling in for the ill Jack Harvey at Iowa Speedway at Dale Coyne Racing. Daly has also spent the last two Indianapolis 500's at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, with 2024 seeing the Indiana native at the front of the field.
Daly also subbed in for Harvey again at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at World Wide Technology Raceway at the end of 2023, after the Briton was dropped from the team's line-up, as well as stepping in for Simon Pagenaud for three rounds after the Frenchman suffered a career-changing crash at Mid-Ohio in 2023.
2025 looks set to be Daly's first full-time season since 2022, as he completes Juncos Hollinger Racing's line-up alongside Sting Ray Robb for 2025. Juncos' announcement also leaves the two vacant seats at Dale Coyne Racing the only remaining puzzle pieces in the driver market heading into the 2025 season, with just under three months until cars hit the track at St. Petersburg.