MOORESVILLE, N.C. — NTT IndyCar Series veteran Conor Daly will make his ARCA Menards Series debut in Friday’s Zinsser SmartCoat 150 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course with Rette Jones Racing.
Daly is one of just 29 drivers in history to have raced in NASCAR’s Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500 within the same year. He achieved that accomplishment last season.
“Very excited to finally make my ARCA debut with Rette Jones Racing,” said Daly. “This opportunity came up pretty last minute, but I love Mid-Ohio and really enjoy racing there. I’ve have raced a Truck there and so I have a little bit of heavy car experience there.
“I have run well in an IndyCar there in the past. Excited for this chance. Excited to see what this series is all about. I have a lot to learn obviously.”
Daly invades the ARCA Menards Series on the heels of finishing 10th in last month’s Indianapolis 500 at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway driving the No. 24 DRR Cusick Motorsports Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
The Noblesville, Ind. native will be partnered with Polkadot for his ARCA debut. The company is expanding its Motorsports platform after debuting with Daly as a Polkadot Brand Ambassador for the Indianapolis 500.
“I appreciate that the fact that Polkadot is supporting us throughout this effort,” added Daly.
“We want to go be competitive, and we’ll see how it goes. I want to say thanks to all the folks that made this happen. Mark Rette has been really helpful in getting me into the game and we’re going to go and try and win a race together.”
Daly is no stranger to Mid-Ohio’s 2.258-mile road course, which is nestled in Lexington, Ohio. Since 2016, Daly has competed in eight IndyCar races, earning a track-best finish of sixth during his track debut in 2016 driving for veteran owner Dale Coyne.
Last July, Daly made one of his three NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts at Mid-Ohio, starting and finishing 18th in an entry fielded by Niece Motorsports.
“Rette Jones Racing is beyond thrilled to have Conor drive our No. 30 Polkadot Ford Mustang on Friday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course,” said Rette Jones Racing co-owner and crew chief Mark Rette.
“Without hesitation, I believe that Conor should quickly dial himself into the track, and we can continue to tweak the car throughout the race. hopefully, give us the opportunity to not only maintain our presence near the front of the field but gives us the opportunity to get back to victory lane.
“I appreciate Andrew (Stallings) and the entire Athelo Group for bringing Conor and Polkadot to Rette Jones Racing. This is a huge last-minute opportunity for our organization, and we definitely plan to make the most of it.”