Indiana-born racer Conor Daly will make a return to NASCAR’s pickup series when he climbs into the No. 25 Kaulig Racing entry for the upcoming 1500 at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The move follows Daly’s most recent appearance in the storied Indy 500, and it marks his seventh start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This announcement blends Daly’s open-wheel pedigree with a continued interest in stock and truck racing, presenting a hometown storyline for fans in Indiana.
The partnership places Daly inside a Kaulig entry that has been used as a flexible, multi-driver ride, and positions him alongside a stable of teammates that represent the team’s broader effort in the series. For Daly, this is not his first foray into NASCAR—he carries experience across disciplines that includes starts in the top-level Cup Series and other national NASCAR divisions. The IRP event will be his second appearance at the short track, and it provides a chance to translate high-speed oval experience into a competitive truck outing.
Why the switch to Kaulig Racing matters
The decision for Daly to drive the No. 25 reflects Kaulig Racing’s strategy of rotating multiple drivers through that seat. The team describes the No. 25 as a free-agent truck, meaning it is not permanently assigned to a single driver for the season and is instead used to bring in a variety of talent. For Daly, joining Kaulig gives access to experienced crew personnel and equipment prepared specifically for short-track truck competition. It also gives the team a local draw: a native son returning to a high-profile event in front of a supportive crowd.
What Daly brings from IndyCar
Daly arrives with a deep background in open-wheel racing. Across 133 IndyCar starts, he has secured two podium finishes and one pole position, and he has posted a best finish of sixth in the Indianapolis 500. In the most recent running of the race, he finished 12th and led four laps, showing both pace and situational awareness in the busiest moments of the event. Those skills—racecraft under pressure, experience leading laps and adapting to quick changes—can be valuable when adjusting to the heavier, less-aerodynamic trucks used in NASCAR competition.
Cross-discipline experience
Beyond IndyCar, Daly’s stock-car resume includes starts in the NASCAR Cup Series as well as appearances in other national NASCAR divisions. He even contested the Daytona 500, where he finished 29th in his lone start. His best Truck Series result to date came at Kansas in 2026, when he crossed the line 17th. Those mixed efforts establish Daly as a versatile racer comfortable adapting between vehicle types and race formats.
Team context and teammates
Kaulig Racing will field a five-truck effort across the series, and Daly’s No. 25 will sit among several other entries. His teammates include Corey LaJoie in the No. 10, Brenden “Butterbean” Queen in the No. 12, Mini Tyrrell in the No. 14, and Justin Haley in the No. 16. Kaulig has utilized a strategy of placing a variety of drivers in the No. 25 to evaluate talent and maximize results across different events, especially when schedule conflicts or opportunities arise. For Daly, the arrangement offers both team support and a chance to benchmark his performance against fellow Kaulig pilots.
What to expect at Indianapolis Raceway Park
The IRP event will test short-track setup and race management: trucks demand different braking points, corner entry speeds and tire preservation tactics compared with open-wheel cars. Local fans will likely provide a spirited atmosphere for Daly, who acknowledged in team communications how meaningful a hometown appearance can be. The race represents not just a competitive challenge but an opportunity for Daly to connect with supporters in the region where he grew up.
Outlook and significance
This signing continues a trend of drivers moving between disciplines to broaden experience and attract crossover interest. For Kaulig Racing, the No. 25 remains a platform for flexible driver deployment and local engagement. For Conor Daly, the IRP outing adds a meaningful local appearance to a career that spans marquee open-wheel events and stock-car starts. Observers will watch how readily he adapts to the Ram truck’s handling characteristics and whether his road- and oval-derived instincts translate into a strong finish.
Final thoughts
In short, the engagement pairs a versatile driver with a team that values flexibility. The combination of Daly’s open-wheel résumé, prior NASCAR starts and a supportive hometown crowd makes this Kaulig Racing entry one of the more interesting cross-discipline stories on the season’s calendar. Expect attention from both IndyCar followers and NASCAR fans curious to see how the transition unfolds.
