Conor Daly looks to etch his name in more than just Indy 500 history

Conor Daly talks to Fox News Digital about his prep for the Indianapolis 500 and what it would mean for him and the state of Indiana.

Conor Daly will roll off pit road at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indianapolis 500 with the obvious goal in mind – win the race and cement himself in racing lore for the rest of time.

A victory will do more than just make him a part of Indy 500 history forever; he will become a folk hero for his native Indiana, which is itching to see a lengthy drought end.

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Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly, #76, high-fives crew members on Saturday, May 17, 2025 during qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

It has been 85 years since an Indiana-born race car driver won the illustrious race. Daly will be driving the No. 76 ampm-sponsored Chevrolet with Wilbur Shaw on his mind, almost literally. Shaw won three Indy 500 races, but no one from Indiana has won it since 1940.

He will be wearing a helmet that honors the legendary driver on Sunday.

"It’s crazy, 85 years since the last Indy 500 winner from Indiana. That just seems wrong. It just seems sad. So we’ve got to change that," Daly, who was born in Noblesville, told Fox News Digital. "It was just a cool idea that I came up with my helmet painter. 

"I try to come up with something unique every year for the Indy 500 helmet because it’s just a special event, and we put a couple old picture of his car from back in the day – 1940 was the last winner, which is crazy. Put the 1940 ticket on top of the helmet as well with a couple of little small details."

Daly qualified 11th for the