Conor Daly of Juncos Hollinger Racing expressed strong disappointment with the current driving standards in IndyCar after his first-lap collision at the recent Laguna Seca event. During the 95-lap race at Monterey’s challenging circuit, Daly, starting from 23rd place, became involved in an incident shortly after the start involving drivers Robert Shwartzman and Callum Ilott, leading to Daly spinning off into the gravel.
This contact prompted Daly to publicly question the level of driving conduct in IndyCar’s top-tier open-wheel competition. Speaking on the Speed Street podcast alongside Chase Holden, Daly did not hold back his frustrations about the incident and the broader state of racing etiquette in the series.
“That was just a really unfortunate situation and, you know, I definitely came on the radio and I was like, hey you know, I obviously can’t see it, but the way I got spun, and the way I felt it is, yeah, it feels like I got hit. And I did, so, kudos to Race Control for not throwing any penalties out there. Obviously, it’s very much, we talked to Christian about it. It’s hit or be hit. Currently, in our sport, I would say the driving standards are at the lowest.” [21:17 onwards].
Despite the early setback, Daly managed to recover through the field and finished the race in 14th place, ending just behind David Malukas of AJ Foyt Racing.
Positive Momentum for Daly Amid a Challenging Season with Juncos Hollinger Racing
Throughout the 2025 IndyCar campaign, Conor Daly has demonstrated competitive pace for a smaller team like Juncos Hollinger Racing. After 14 rounds in the 17-race season, he currently holds 17th position in the driver standings with 215 points, having secured three top-ten results so far.
His performance at Laguna Seca, where he climbed nine places after the first-lap spin, was a highlight. Daly expressed satisfaction with his car’s performance during the race, especially in its late stages.
“Heading into the gravel on Lap 1 through no fault of our own was a shame. Luckily we managed to keep the car going, eventually going from last place to finish in 14th. I was really happy with the car once we got to the last stint. I think the team knew we had a decent car, and to be right up on the gearbox of the #4, #2, and #15 felt good for us.”
With only three races left in the season, Daly appears focused on building upon this momentum to achieve an even stronger finish in the upcoming rounds.
Implications of Daly’s Comments for IndyCar’s Competitive Environment
Daly’s candid remarks about the “lowest” driving standards highlight growing concerns about aggression and fairness on the track within IndyCar. His critique, coming from a driver well-versed in the series’ demands, may encourage officials and teams to review racing conduct and safety protocols more closely.
As the season nears its conclusion, the intensity among drivers is increasing, and ensuring that driving standards balance competitiveness with respect will be key for maintaining the sport’s integrity. Daly’s experience at Laguna Seca serves as a real-time example of the frustrations drivers face and the fine line between racing hard and risking collisions.
Going forward, fans and stakeholders will be watching how Race Control and teams respond to such critiques, especially in tight contests on demanding circuits like Laguna Seca.