During the 2025 IndyCar XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, Conor Daly encountered an unusual situation when a tow rope remained attached to his Juncos Hollinger Racing car after being pulled out of the gravel on lap 22. This oversight left race officials and commentators visibly baffled as Daly continued driving with the rope trailing behind him.
Daly had become stuck while trying to overtake David Malukas from AJ Foyt Racing, unable to slow down sufficiently in a tricky section of the track. Starting the race in 21st position and running in 24th at the time, Daly’s attempt to recover was interrupted by the gravel trap incident.
An unexpected tow rope issue disrupts Daly’s Road America race
The AMR safety crew managed to swiftly extricate Daly’s car from the gravel using a tow rope; however, Daly did not realize the rope had not been disconnected before he rejoined the race. This caused a peculiar sight on the track as a streamer dangled behind his car, leaving both track officials and commentators uncertain about how to react.
IndyCar analyst Will Buxton commented on the moment:
“Just when you thought you had seen it all in motor racing, a car has developed a tail. Welcome back to the XPEL Grand Prix at Road America, that is Conor Daly. The amazing AMR safety crew were able to get Conor out of the gravel trap, but Conor didn’t realize that they hadn’t disconnected the toe rope.” —Will Buxton, IndyCar Commentator
Intense competition shapes the early stages of the race
While Daly faced challenges, the broader race delivered exciting and competitive action, particularly involving Kyle Kirkwood, Alex Palou, and Will Power. Early in the event, these three drivers engaged in a fierce contest for position, highlighted by moments of impressive driving and narrow margins.
Will Power initially gained advantage over Kirkwood through a specific section, but he overshot the corner, allowing reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou to overtake both drivers in one fluid move. This sequence showcased exceptional skill and close racing.
As one commentator described the scene:
“It was absolutely stunning to see this from above, from the helicopter. Yeah, brilliant run from Alex Palou to get to the outside as Will Power just decides to go fell send and defend and ends up accidently getting way too deep.” —Unnamed IndyCar Commentator
Palou leads midway through the 55-lap event
With 39 laps completed, Alex Palou holds the lead at Road America. The 28-year-old driver, who has already achieved five Grand Prix victories this season, is well positioned to claim a sixth win at this race. His performance continues to demonstrate why he remains a dominant figure in IndyCar competitions.
As the race continues to unfold, the actions of drivers like Daly and Palou highlight the unpredictability and excitement inherent in IndyCar racing, promising further memorable moments for fans and participants alike.