Veteran Conor Daly will return to Ed Carpenter Racing (ECR) for a full-season NTT INDYCAR SERIES effort in 2022, driving the No. 20 Chevrolet with sponsorship from new team partner BitNile Holdings, Inc.
BitNile’s multiyear deal also includes serving as an associate sponsor on ECR’s second entry, the No. 21 Chevrolet driven in 2022 by Rinus VeeKay.
BitNile Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company specializing in disruptive technologies, including cryptocurrencies and innovations in the field of Decentralized Finance (“DeFi”). BitNile focuses on large-scale crypto mining with energy-efficient, powerful operations strategically located in North America. In addition, BitNile currently operates its own high-density data center. With a mission to simplify the DeFi process for all involved, BitNile invests in technology platforms that provide crypto holders a vehicle to earn interest on their crypto assets.
BitNile Founder and Executive Chairman Milton “Todd” Ault III has spent his entire career investing in undervalued assets and disruptive technologies. He believes joining the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with ECR will yield similar rewards.
“I’ve been a fan of INDYCAR racing for a long time, and we are proud to have the opportunity to team up with Ed Carpenter Racing,” Ault said. “It’s a natural fit for BitNile to join an Indiana business like Ed’s as we have a number of investments in the Midwest, including our mining facilities. BitNile operates with a ‘Risk On’ philosophy where risk is an integral element if you want to win. Conor Daly and ECR share that mindset, making us in perfect alignment.”
The upcoming season will mark Daly’s return to ECR for a third year, though it will be his first as full-time driver of the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet. For the past two years, Daly has split his talents between two teams. For the road and street course events and the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, Daly raced for ECR; for the remaining oval events, he drove for Carlin. Over the past eight years, Noblesville, Indiana, native Daly, 30, has competed in 80 INDYCAR SERIES races. The 2021 Indianapolis 500 proved a career highlight for the hometown favorite as he led for a race-high 40 laps.
“Being chosen to represent BitNile is without a doubt one of the most important opportunities of my career,” Daly said. “This is an incredible partnership that we look forward to being able to strengthen and grow as we go after race wins together.
“To be able to come back to Ed Carpenter Racing for the full season is incredible. I haven’t had the chance to be with one team for the entire year since 2017, so this is something I am very, very thankful for. I have a lot of faith in ECR, and each year we continue to get better together. I couldn’t be more excited to get on track in the BitNile Chevrolet.”
Team owner Ed Carpenter became well known in the Bitcoin space in 2021 as he welcomed the first decentralized sponsorship in the history of racing. The Bitcoin community supported all necessary on-track activities for ECR’s Bitcoin Chevrolet during the Month of May. Carpenter later spoke at the Bitcoin 2021 conference and continues to be recognized as a paddock leader in the crypto industry.
“I am extremely proud to welcome BitNile to the ECR family,” Carpenter said. “It is exciting to be able to expand our team’s involvement in the culture of Bitcoin after running the Bitcoin car last May. We will also represent a few other exciting brands within BitNile Holdings as the year progresses, so there is more to come.”
ECR will continue to compete in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with two full-time entries in 2022. Daly’s season-long teammate is fellow third-year ECR driver VeeKay, who remains in the No. 21 Chevrolet. Carpenter, a three-time Indianapolis 500 pole winner, will join Daly and VeeKay to round out ECR’s three-car program for the 2022 Indy 500. Confirmation of Carpenter’s participation in the three additional oval events may come at a later date.
Always eager to hone his driving talents, Daly returns to dirt track racing this weekend as he competes in the Chili Bowl Nationals Friday and Saturday at Tulsa, Oklahoma. On Wednesday, Jan. 19, Daly and Carpenter will be guests on Ault’s podcast, “Risk On.” Viewers can watch a livestream from the ECR shop on YouTube at 4 p.m. (ET).
The 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season begins Sunday, Feb. 27 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida.