Conor Daly's Indy 500 helmet honors last Hoosier to win the race
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Daly with his Wilbur Shaw helmet. Photos: Arika Herron/Axios
It's been 85 years since a Hoosier won the Indianapolis 500, but Conor Daly could change that this year.
Driving the news: If he does, the Noblesville native will do so wearing a helmet featuring photos and mementos of Wilbur Shaw, the last Hoosier to achieve victory at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
- Daly told Axios he was inspired, as the only driver in the field born and raised in Indiana, to honor Shaw, a three-time Indy 500 champion who last won in 1940.
Between the lines: While racer Ed Carpenter considers Indy his hometown, he was born in Illinois and moved to Indiana as a child.
What he's saying: "This is, like, you know, true hometown, which I'm really proud of," Daly said. "I love it here."
Zoom in: Daly worked with his helmet painter, TJ Koyen, at Oktane Visual on the design.
- It includes historical photos of Shaw, a 1940 ticket, and the leprechaun featured on all of Daly's helmets is riding in Shaw's car.
Fun fact: Born Oct. 31, 1902, in Shelbyville, Shaw also served as president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1945 until his death in 1954 and is credited with helping save the dilapidated track after World War II.
The big picture: Daly is a second-generation racer. His dad, Derek Daly, is an Irish former Formula One driver.
- His mom, Beth, is married to Doug Boles — yes, that Doug Boles, president of IndyCar and IMS.
- It all adds to making an event that's already special in the world of racing that much more special for Daly.
So, what would it be like to be the next Hoosier to win it?
- "I dream about that honestly, quite a lot," he said. "It'd obviously be amazing."
- "The response here anytime we're doing events or driver intros is already super meaningful to me. It definitely makes the little butterflies in your heart dance a little bit."
- "So, it would definitely be cool. You know, we don't show up to try and lose. We hope to get the job done this May."
Reality check: Daly is a hometown favorite but not necessarily the odds-on favorite to win this year. That honor goes to IndyCar series points leader Alex Palou, followed by back-to-back defending champ Josef Newgarden.
- Daly led the most laps of all drivers in the 2021 race and finished a career-best 6th in 2022.
What's next: Practice continues today and tomorrow.
- Qualifying will take place Saturday and Sunday.