DETROIT – Before making his way north on I-75 to meet up with the Schmidt Peterson Motorsports team, Conor Daly dropped by James Hinchcliffe’s house for a Belle Isle debrief.

“We talked about the car and the race and what he felt last year. He’s been really quick here so it was good to get his advice,” said Daly, who qualified 21st in the No. 5 Arrow/Lucas Oil Honda in the Chevrolet Dual in Detroit presented by Quicken Loans doubleheader this weekend as Hinchcliffe recovers from surgery May 18.

“He’s trying to do everything he can to help. He’s a great guy. He let me drive his car all winter because mine broke down. It’s great to have him to go to for information.”

Hinchcliffe was released May 26 from IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a left upper thigh injury in a practice crash for the Indianapolis 500.

Team co-owner Ric Peterson said Hinchcliffe is “tweeting full time” from home.

“He’s doing pretty good,” Peterson said. “We don’t know when he’ll be back and that’s why we’re taking steps until we know more. Hopefully by August.”

Daly, who qualified the No. 43 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports car for the Indy 500 and drove for its Indy Lights team in 2011, was announced May 26 as Hinchcliffe’s substitute for the doubleheader May 30 and 31 on the street circuit.

In mid-April at Long Beach, Daly was tapped to fill in for the injured Rocky Moran Jr. in a Dale Coyne Racing Honda. Like Detroit, he had one practice session to prepare for qualifications.

“I’m excited for the opportunity. It's one of those things that you always have to be ready for. I think (team co-owner) Sam (Schmidt) and the team have faith in me since we tested together in mid-February,” Daly said.

“I’m just excited to do the best I can do with it. You never know what will happen. Obviously, I'd like to be a full-time IndyCar driver. These shots that I'm getting are very sporadic, sort of strange situations. But you never know when you will get a shot. You have to absolutely take full advantage of it. I have to do that this weekend.

“I'd love to be able to continue on after Detroit, as well, if we all develop a good relationship and a good feel for the car. But obviously right now we're taking it one day at a time, get after it in Detroit.”