SPORTS

Conor Daly lands Indianapolis 500 ride

Curt Cavin
Conor Daly

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Conor Daly has pulled everything together for a return to his hometown race, the Indianapolis 500.

The one-time 500 starter (with A.J. Foyt Racing in 2013 when he finished 22nd) has a team, a car and a sponsor for next month's race.

Daly, 23, was confirmed today to drive the No. 43 Honda-powered entry of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. The sponsor wasn't included in the team's release, but it is tied to the car number.

Daly's father, Derek, a former Formula One and IndyCar driver, has for years worked with Richard Petty Motorsports and its owner, seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty. Not only will Daly use Petty's legendary car number -- 43 -- his red, white and blue car will carry primary sponsorship of one of Petty's longtime sponsors.

The backer was not expected to be identified at today's news conference at Barber Motorsports Park because company officials could not attend.

Daly, a Heritage Christian High School graduate who grew up in Noblesville, will be paired with SPM's full-season drivers, James Hinchcliffe and James Jakes, in a three-car lineup fielded by Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson. Daly drove road course events for Schmidt's Indy Lights team in '13 (he won the Long Beach, Calif., race).

Daly also will be reunited with engineers he knows well. Chris Finch engineered Daly's Indy Lights program; years ago, Tim Neff raced jet skis with Daly's mother, Beth.

"Been a long road to get back to this point," Daly said on Twitter. "Can't wait to compete in my HOME race again."

SPM is planning to have Daly participate in next weekend's open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Sunday, May 3) if an aero kit package is received in time. The car is new.

Daly was literally a last-minute replacement for Dale Coyne Racing in last weekend's IndyCar Series street race in Long Beach. He finished on the lead lap in 17th place, lapping his teammate, Francesco Dracone.

Daly spent years chasing the Formula One dream, competing in its ladder system -- GP2 and GP3 -- before turning his attention back to IndyCar. His stepfather is Doug Boles, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway president.

Daly's confirmation leaves three seats to be filled for next month's 500: Two on Dale Coyne's team and one at A.J. Foyt Racing.

Follow Curt Cavin on Twitter at @curtcavin