A dedicated supporter of IndyCar veteran Conor Daly embarked on an extraordinary 561-mile bicycle trip from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Toronto, Canada, to attend the 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race weekend. The six-day journey showcased the fan’s commitment to following Daly and <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/motorsports/indycar/”>IndyCar racing, blending passion with endurance.
On the morning of Friday, July 18, IndyCar president Doug Boles, who is also Conor Daly’s stepfather, encountered the fan known as @SomeHoosier on the social platform X, along with two friends who accompanied him. Boles captured a couple of photos with the trio and shared them in a post.
“It’s @hondaindy @Indycar weekend. And, as I walked up to West Queen for breakfast, I ran into these race fans at an intersection in Toronto! These guys rode 500+ miles from Indianapolis to come to the race! Left on Saturday! Super cool!” —Doug Boles, IndyCar President
The fan later met Conor Daly in the IndyCar paddock, commemorating the moment with a photo alongside the Juncos Hollinger Racing driver, which he shared on X. Daly, from Noblesville, Indiana, returned to full-time IndyCar competition this year after parting ways with Ed Carpenter Racing in mid-2023. So far during the season, Daly has achieved three Top 10 finishes and narrowly missed podium results twice due to tire issues, including a near win at the 109th Indy 500, where he had a chance to become the first local winner in 83 years.
Conor Daly reflects on strong fan support and racing roots in Canada
Following a meet and greet session with fans on Friday, Conor Daly expressed his appreciation for Toronto’s racing fans and recalled his early racing experiences in the area. The 33-year-old driver highlighted the longstanding connection he has with Canadian race tracks and supporters.
“Toronto has always been a good race for us. I remember coming to this race when I was youthful, when I raced Formula Ford in Canada in Ontario when I was like 15 in 2007. I’ve done a lot of racing up here. Race fans are super passionate here. It’s really not a far journey from the Midwest, which is our strong point,” —Conor Daly, IndyCar Driver
Daly also praised the large crowd turnout in the Toronto paddock during the race weekend, emphasizing the enthusiasm from fans as a boost for drivers.
“It’s awesome to see everyone here. Just today, all the interactions that we had with the fans… it’s one of the strongest Fridays that we’ve seen at a racetrack for a while. So it’s pretty cool.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar Driver
Challenging weekend at Iowa contrasts with optimism heading into Toronto
Conor Daly faced difficulties at Iowa the previous weekend, where he delivered a promising P7 finish in the first race of the double-header. Despite being on track for an even better placing in Race 2, an untimely caution disrupted his race strategy, ultimately pushing him back to P16. This setback underscored the unpredictable nature of racing but did not dampen his overall determination as he looked forward to the Toronto event.
The remarkable travel effort by the fan and the strong turnout at the Toronto paddock reflect the close bond between drivers like Daly and their supporters, helping to fuel energy and optimism within the IndyCar community. As the season continues, fans’ passion and Dakota’s persistence will remain key elements shaping future races and accomplishments.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Conor Daly diabetic?
A. For 33-year-old Conor Daly, racing is a normal part of life. The Indiana driver has been racing since he got his license. Since he was 14, Daly has managed type 1 diabetes. He is the first known pro race car driver with diabetes.