Conor Daly of Juncos Hollinger Racing has publicly condemned a parody account for spreading false rumors about his IndyCar future, highlighting how such misinformation can negatively impact his career and personal life. The controversy unfolded in 2025 after a fake story claimed Dennis Hauger would join Daly’s team on loan for the 2026 season, an assertion Daly firmly refuted during a recent podcast appearance.
False Report About Dennis Hauger Sparks Frustration
The parody account called The Daily Downfords circulated a rumor that Andretti Global’s Indy NXT driver Dennis Hauger was set to join Daly’s Juncos Hollinger Racing team for the upcoming season. Daly made clear on the Speed Street Podcast (Episode 187) that this claim was untrue and originated from a non-official source with no credibility.
“The rumor mills are flying around. There was one rumor that did include myself that I would like to let people know is not real. There’s an account on the internet that I really don’t know how people continue to fall for this stuff.I really don’t. But the Daily Down Fords is not a real website. It’s not a real place, it’s a parody account.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
The false report was further amplified when a journalist shared the post without verifying its authenticity, causing confusion about the statuses of both Daly and his teammate Sting Ray Robb. Daly criticized this careless approach to journalism that allows parody content to be mistaken for fact.
“And then it’s, of course, you know, journalism that if someone sees that, they basically just copy and paste the tweet and put it out on their own account, which is not then identified as a parody account.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Impact of Rumors on Drivers’ Lives
Daly expressed deep frustration with the ongoing spread of false information, emphasizing that such actions affect people’s lives beyond just the racing headlines. He acknowledged the humor intended by the parody account but stressed the real harm caused by these fabrications.
“I am not a fan of the Downford anymore. I’m not a fan ot it, sorry. I mean I respect you guys for trying to be funny, but a lot of it messes with people’s actual lives.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Despite the rumor turmoil, Daly’s financial backing remains steady as ampm, his primary sponsor, confirmed in May 2025 that it will continue its partnership through the 2026 IndyCar season, providing stability amidst the speculation.
Conor Daly’s Progress Throughout the 2025 Season
Daly has been competing intermittently in IndyCar since 2013 and showed marked improvement in his 2025 campaign with Juncos Hollinger Racing. After finishing 26th in the 2024 driver standings with 119 points, he currently sits 19th with 220 points and two races left in the season—his most competitive position in recent years.
His highest career finishing position in an IndyCar season is 17th, and with only 20 points separating him from Kyffin Simpson, who holds 17th place with 240 points, Daly has the potential to either match or surpass his personal best by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Daly’s teammate Sting Ray Robb is positioned 25th in the standings, having earned 160 points across 15 races this season, putting him behind Daly but still within sight of improvement.
What This Means for Daly and the IndyCar Community
The unfolding saga highlights the growing challenge drivers face from misinformation in the digital age, where parody and rumors can quickly spread unchecked, affecting reputations and careers. Daly’s call for discernment underscores the need for responsible journalism and public awareness on the impact of online rumors. With sponsorship confirmed and his improved performance, Daly remains focused on racing and proving his abilities on the track as the 2025 season draws to a close.