PHOENIX – Rookie driver Conor Daly has had a whirlwind introduction to the Verizon IndyCar Series and all it entails.
After leading an impressive 15 laps in the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 13, Daly returned quickly home to Indianapolis, only to turn back around for a West Coast swing that included media events in Phoenix and Los Angeles. On March 17, he attended an Arizona Coyotes NHL game and met with “The Captain,” Shane Doan.
“When you get offered the opportunities, it’s really pretty cool that you get to meet people that you’d never get to meet otherwise,” Doan said of meeting Daly. “To sit and talk with Conor for a little bit and pick his brain on the way he does things is special. As an athlete, you’re always excited to meet other guys that are having success and, just listening to him talk, you can hear the excitement in his voice for it, and it’s fun.”
Daly participated in the “Top Dog Howl of the Game,” which invites celebrities or local influencers to lead the crowd in its opening Coyote howl. He met with Phoenix media regarding the upcoming Phoenix Grand Prix, set for April 1-2 at Phoenix International Raceway in the Verizon IndyCar Series’ first race there in 11 years.
Daly presented Doan – who scored the go-ahead goal in the Arizona’s 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks – with a white racing helmet adorned by the series and track logo. In return, he received a signed jersey embroidered with his name and the number of his Dale Coyne Racing/Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality Honda, No. 18.
“I have mad respect for athletes at the top of their game in any sport: NBA, NHL, NFL,” Daly said.
“It’s cool to talk to people like that because obviously they’ve put in the work and the hours of time dedicated to their sport that I try to dedicate to mine. There’s a cool mutual respect there between athletes.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this. I’ve always seen drivers for so many years get cool exchanges, cool stuff like that. Crazy different things, and I’m like, ‘Someday I want to be a part of that.’ And this was my first one, so I’m excited to have it.”
For ticket information on the Phoenix Grand Prix, visit phoenixraceway.com.