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IndyCar Long Beach

Moran Jr. tipped Daly for Long Beach start

Motorsport.com spoke to Conor Daly about his whirlwind weekend in Long Beach, when he arrived expecting to drive the two seater, and ended it with the second-best Honda lap of the race.

Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda
Conor Daly, Dale Coyne Racing Honda

Daly was tapped to drive the IndyCar two-seater for a handful of events this season, but on what he called an abnormally early morning at the Long Beach Grand Prix, Daly got an interesting message from car owner Dale Coyne.

"Scott Speed actually saw me walking into the track and sent me a message asking why I was there so early, I didn't have a reason to be there that early really," said Daly. 

"But then I got a call from Dale, and I knew there would only be one or two reasons he might be calling."

He later revealed that Rocky Moran Jr., who was originally supposed to drive the car that weekend, was the one who suggested Daly as the go-to replacement.

Daly had only a bit of time before he had to strap up, get the car on track and put his first competition IndyCar street course laps together, find a setup and get comfortable for what is considered one of the crown jewel events of the season.

Making the best of the opportunity

Daly started 21st and would end up coming across the finish line in 17th. 

The young driver said he was happy with this result, as someone who has not driven an IndyCar in its current configuration before this event, as he captured the second fastest lap time of any Honda runner.

"I wanted to be smart about it. I know I am not going to go out and win the race, but I think we made the best of the opportunities too," Daly said.

Family affair

One difference this weekend as opposed to much of last season was the presence of his Father and Formula 1 veteran Derek at the track.

"It was great to have him there. That little bit of extra support means a lot," Daly said.

"I think he really enjoyed seeing me out there."

Daly said while it helps to get one-off shots on track in the IndyCar series, he still doesn't have anything firm for 2015, or the Month of May. 

"The future is still all up in the air," said Daly. "I don’t think I will be at Barber racing. I will be there in the two seater."

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