Andretti Autosport completed an all-American lineup for the 103rd Indianapolis 500 in an all-American way on Wednesday, naming Conor Daly to drive the team’s fifth entry at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” with sponsorship from the United States Air Force.
Daly will attempt to qualify for his sixth Indy 500 this May in the No. 25 U.S. Air Force Honda and will have four fellow American drivers as teammates: Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Alexander Rossi and Zach Veach.
Daly, from Noblesville, Indiana, made his NTT IndyCar Series debut at the Indy 500 in 2013. He has competed in the race every year since, except in 2014, and logged his best finish a year ago by driving to 21st place for Dale Coyne Racing with Thom Burns Racing, with USAF sponsorship.
“I couldn’t be prouder to represent the Air Force for a second consecutive year at the Indianapolis 500,” Daly said. “I would not be here without the effort from everyone at Andretti Autosport to make sure this program is structured for success. It means a lot to see the commitment that Air Force has shown in me and the chance to have a shot at winning the biggest race in the world.”
The Air Force will also become an associate partner of Andretti Autosport, with branding across the four full-season entries for Rossi, Hunter-Reay, Andretti and Veach, solidifying the teamwork effect. It’s a theme central to how the U.S. Air Force accomplishes its mission.
“This partnership closely correlates with how we fly, fight and win,” said Maj. Ross McKnight, chief, Air Force National Events Branch at Air Force Recruiting Service. “We don’t send one aircraft to accomplish a mission, we build a strike package with multiple aircraft. The ability to sponsor Andretti Autosport’s five cars at the Indy 500 ties in greatly with how we accomplish our mission.”
Hunter-Reay and Rossi are each past Indianapolis 500 champions for Andretti Autosport, which has won the great race five times, including three of the past five. Team CEO Michael Andretti was proud to add Daly and the U.S. Air Force to the all-American lineup.
“We’re really happy to welcome the Air Force to the Andretti family for the Indy 500 with Conor, and full season across all our cars,” Andretti said. “Having five American drivers represent the team at America’s biggest race is very special, and we’re proud to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the U.S. Air Force.”
Joining Andretti Autosport for the Indianapolis 500 reunites Daly with some of his closer friends on the INDYCAR circuit, including Rossi. The duo teamed in late 2017 to compete in “The Amazing Race,” the CBS reality adventure show. Daly and Rossi made it to the final round before finishing in fourth place.
“To be teamed with some of my best friends at undoubtedly one of the best teams on the grid is going to be a lot of fun,” Daly said. “I’ve never had the chance to be on a team with multiple 500 winners, so I am beyond excited to learn from them and ready to get to work.”
The 103rd Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. Tickets are available at IMS.com. The race airs live beginning at 11 a.m. ET on NBC.