Conor Daly is feels more ready for the trip to Long Beach this weekend than he did to the Phoenix International Raceway last time out, with the young American having had previous Verizon IndyCar Series experience at the track.
The Dale Coyne Racing driver jumped into the #18 car at short notice a year ago following the withdrawal from the race of Carlos Huertas and then his replacement Rocky Moran Jr, and drove a strong race.
Daly feels better prepared for this weekend than he has previously this season, and is eager to show what he can do around a track he has triumphed on in the past in Indy Lights.
“I’m really looking forward to this race weekend, much more so than Phoenix, just because I have a little bit of experience at Long Beach,” said Daly. “I’m very excited for the race. I love the place. I love the track.
“I love the fact we were quick at the end of the race last year so we have a good place to start and it’s with the same team, so it will be really cool. I didn’t work with (engineer) Mike (Cannon) last year, but we were all there as a team and it’s such a great track and great weekend.
“I finally feel like it’s a race I’m more prepared for. Even though it will be the same as St. Pete and a tough battle, I feel more prepared than any other race we’ve had this year.
“Long Beach is a great track, there’s a lot of history there. I won in there in Indy Lights and I always enjoy going there. I went there for years before I raced on it so it means a lot to me. I’m excited that we got to first bond as a team there last year and that now we get to come back and give it another shot.”
