Conor Daly has bounced around between IndyCar teams more than most drivers, having driven for eight different teams in his eight years in the sport.
Those team switches have not come linearly, however, as the Indiana native has often found himself driving for multiple teams within the same season.
In fact, 2017 was the most recent year Daly had a full time ride with a single team, when he was paired alongside Carlos Muñoz at AJ Foyt Racing.
Following that season, he ran a part time schedule for a couple years with a few different teams. The past two seasons, Daly has been on track for every race, although that has been achieved through the assembly of two separate arrangements.
Switching between Ed Carpenter Racing for the road courses and the Indy 500, and Carlin for the remaining ovals, he has had to continue his nomad status this season as he approaches 30 years old.
With silly season in full swing and rumors of drivers changing teams coming out seemingly every day, Motorsport Week asked Daly if a full season deal is in the cards for next year.
“It would be awesome, but the business of the game is hard,” said Daly. “That’s all it comes down to. It’s a business thing, and right now the only way that it works is for me to be full time is with two different teams.
“It kind of works out perfectly, but for sure would love to be with one group. But right now we’re working with two great groups.
“We’re going to do the best job we can with what we have.”
Daly’s arrangement works well for both teams with which he currently has a deal. Ed Carpenter only wants to drive the oval races, and Max Chilton prefers to only race the road courses, leaving alternating gaps that he can fill.
With the past two seasons having this same arrangement, Daly has gotten to know both teams really well, and feels at home in both.
He pointed to the recent continuity as something that has helped him perform well so far this season, including at the recent race from World Wide Technology Raceway.
“I think I know what I want in an oval car,” continued Daly. “Also, the continuity. The fact that I’ve been able to come back to these tracks with Carlin again.
“The first year we were competitive, but we also learned what we wanted. The second year we came back and we were really, really strong.
“There’s only been one time where we’ve struggled as a group, so it’s been a really good, consistent run with these guys.”
If Daly does manage to land a full time seat for 2022, that would potentially bring even more continuity to his future.
