IndyCar driver Conor Daly’s future in the series remains in doubt after he was replaced by Rinus VeeKay at Juncos Hollinger Racing following the 2025 season. As the 2026 season nears, the 34-year-old racer has expressed a strong desire to return to NASCAR, specifically targeting the Brickyard 400 event for a potential comeback.
Among the available full-time IndyCar rides, only the seat at Dale Coyne Racing remains open heading into 2026. Dennis Hauger occupies one of the team’s seats, but the other is widely rumored to be headed to Romain Grosjean, who has reportedly signed with the team and participated in testing at Sebring. This situation puts Daly’s chances of securing a full-time seat in IndyCar in doubt.
Rides Still Open and Possible Part-Time Opportunities in IndyCar
Besides the Dale Coyne Racing vacancy, the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing seat for the Indy 500 is also available, with Daly considered a potential candidate. Another option discussed is a part-time position focused on oval tracks with Dale Coyne Racing, specifically because Grosjean might handle the street and road courses. These options highlight the limited but still possible paths Daly has within IndyCar for 2026.
Conor Daly Shares Plans to Pursue NASCAR Races, Including the Brickyard 400
In a recent appearance on the Speed Street podcast, Daly addressed his aspirations to compete in NASCAR amid the uncertainty of his IndyCar career. He highlighted his eagerness to participate in the upcoming Daytona 500 weekend and expressed his specific interest in racing the Brickyard 400, one of NASCAR’s premier events.
“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
Daly Recalls Lost NASCAR Xfinity Series Opportunity for 2026
During a November 2025 edition of the Speed Street podcast, Daly revealed he was offered a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series seat for 2026. The deal appeared certain enough that he was already scouting housing in Charlotte, a key hub for NASCAR teams. Unfortunately, the opportunity fell through due to financial considerations from other parties.
“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 Attempting IndyCar-NASCAR Weekend Double Duty at St. Pete
Alongside these open NASCAR ambitions, Daly has also expressed interest in competing in both IndyCar and the NASCAR Truck Series during the same race weekend at St. Petersburg. This double-header approach would allow him to stay active in both types of racing despite his uncertain full-time status in IndyCar.
Implications for Daly’s Career and Motorsport Landscape
Conor Daly’s contemplation of a NASCAR return reflects the broader challenges faced by drivers navigating competitive seats and sponsorships in both IndyCar and NASCAR. His potential participation in NASCAR’s major events could reshape his career trajectory and draw attention to cross-series versatility. For the 2026 season, fans and teams will watch closely how Daly’s decisions unfold, potentially marking a significant shift in his racing path.
