During the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Content Days last week, Conor Daly said he was open to the opportunity of racing in the Daytona 500 later this month.
The Money Team Racing and sponsor BitNile.com have provided that chance, and Daly is grabbing it.
Ed Carpenter Racing driver Daly will attempt to qualify for NASCAR’s biggest race Sunday, Feb. 19 at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 50 BitNile.com Chevrolet. Daly’s team doesn’t have a charter, so he will need to earn his spot in the field either through single-car qualifying Wednesday, Feb. 15 or a Bluegreen Vacations Duel race Thursday, Feb. 16 on the high-banked, 2.5-mile oval.
“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to attempt to run in the Daytona 500,” Daly said. “It is the most prestigious race in NASCAR, and to have the chance to compete in it is truly an honor.
“I am looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get behind the wheel of whatever BitNile.com race car, boat, dune buggy or vehicle they ask me to drive. Bring it on.”
BitNile also sponsors all three NTT INDYCAR SERIES cars in the Ed Carpenter Racing stable, driven by Daly, Rinus VeeKay and team owner Ed Carpenter.
Daly will attempt to make his second NASCAR Cup Series start. He debuted with a 34th-place finish last fall on the “roval” at Charlotte Motor Speedway with The Money Team, owned by boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“The Money Team Racing shocked the world by making the Daytona 500 last year and I believe in this team and know we will prepare a great car for this year’s race,” Mayweather said. “Like a fighter who’s always ready to face the best, Conor has the courage to buckle into this beast without any practice and put that car into the field.
“Conor is like a hungry fighter and my kind of guy. I sure wouldn’t bet against him.”
Daly has made a NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Road America and two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events, both at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. If he qualifies at Daytona, it will be his first NASCAR superspeedway release.
After Speedweek at Daytona, Daly will focus on the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season opener, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on Sunday, March 5 (live, noon ET, NBC).