Ed Carpenter Racing has announced to have mutually parted ways with the driver of the #20 car, Conor Daly, after three and a half seasons.
“This is the most difficult decision I have made as a team owner because I respect Conor and know what he means to INDYCAR and its fans. Our team has not been performing at the level we are capable of this year, and despite making technical changes and investments in the offseason, 2023 has been extremely challenging.
“I have put a great deal of consideration into the current state of our team and realize it is my obligation to our employees, partners, and supporters to do whatever is necessary to elevate our team’s competitiveness. We sincerely wish Conor continued success and will cheer him on wherever he goes next,” stated team owner Ed Carpenter.
“Although we’ve mutually decided that it’s in our best interests to take different paths, I’d like to thank ECR for the past three and a half seasons. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me. I look forward to taking on the next opportunities that await, and I want to thank the fans for being with me on this ride,” said Conor Daly.
In the wake of the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America, ECR announced Ryan Hunter-Reay as a replacement for Conor Daly for the rest of the 2023 season. Hunter-Reay’s last outing was at the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 where he got an eleventh-place finish with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing #23 Chevrolet.
“I am looking forward to Road America! It’s a tough situation, especially mid-season. A lot has happened in a short amount of time and it’s going to be a huge undertaking. I’ve been out of the car, at least in terms of turning right, for a year and a half. I have stayed current in prototypes and just came out of the Indy 500, but this will be new all around.
“Even the small things I knew about Road America since I began driving there at age 17, all of the little nuances are gone. It’s a new track surface, new team, new car and a new group of people to work with! I look forward to the challenge, but I am also a realist. I am approaching this from a pretty disciplined standpoint and curbing some expectations. There’s a lot to digest and consider, but we are plugging away, taking it hour by hour, day by day and looking forward to the race weekend ahead,” said Ryan Hunter-Reay.
