During his recent appearance on the Speed Street podcast, IndyCar driver Conor Daly recounted a hair-raising incident during a race. Daly described the heart-stopping moment when he encountered Sting Ray Robb’s left-rear wheel rolling directly onto the racing line. With both Daly and Alexander Rossi of Arrow McLaren racing at speeds exceeding 150mph, they had to swiftly swerve to avoid the detached wheel. Daly expressed his disbelief at the situation, questioning why a yellow flag was not issued sooner and emphasizing the danger of the incident. This was not the first time Daly encountered such a threat, as he had a similar near miss during the 2021 Indianapolis 500 when Graham Rahal’s car lost its left-rear wheel and it collided with Daly’s car, sending it airborne.
Questions About Safety Measures
Daly raised concerns about the safety measures taken by race officials in response to such incidents. He called for quicker action and stricter rules, advocating for yellow flags to be deployed as soon as a vehicle is compromised. The driver highlighted the potentially catastrophic consequences of these incidents, emphasizing the precariousness of driving IndyCars and the need for prompt intervention to ensure the safety of all participants.
On the podcast, Daly joined Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward in praising Josef Newgarden’s performance at the recent Iowa races. Daly agreed with O’Ward’s observation that Newgarden “dominated, absolutely destroyed everybody.” Reflecting on Newgarden’s impressive showing, Daly commended the driver for his skill and precision, likening his performance to that of a seasoned veteran. Daly humorously remarked that Newgarden’s dominance made the rest of the field, including himself, appear like amateurs. He also commented on Newgarden’s dissatisfaction despite his victory, attributing it to his frustration with lapped traffic. Daly used this analogy to illustrate the gap in skill and experience between Newgarden and the other drivers, suggesting that they still have much to learn in the world of oval racing.
The Power of Successful Teams
Drawing comparisons with powerhouse teams in other sports, Daly highlighted the unwavering commitment to excellence displayed by Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing. Daly cited examples of dominant performances by these teams, such as Alex Palou’s commanding victory. He credited their ability to identify areas of improvement and execute their strategies to outperform their competitors. Daly likened their approach to the relentless dominance exhibited by Red Bull in other motorsports disciplines, showcasing their unwavering pursuit of success.
Conor Daly shared a firsthand account of a terrifying incident on the track and raised important questions about the safety measures in place for IndyCar races. He also offered his insights on Josef Newgarden’s exceptional performance and praised the prowess of Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing. As the IndyCar season progresses, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed and whether other drivers will rise to challenge the dominant teams.
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