Conor Daly Set For First Daytona 500 Attempt

NTT IndyCar Series driver Conor Daly will make his first attempt at NASCAR’s upcoming Great American Race at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway.

Piloting The Money Team Racing No. 50 Chevrolet, the full-time Indy car driver will attempt to qualify for the Feb. 19 Daytona 500 that opens the NASCAR Cup Series season. Bitnile.com will sponsor the effort with Tony Eury Jr. serving as crew chief.

TMT Racing made the announcement on social media Tuesday morning.

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— The Money Team Racing (@tmtracing50) February 7, 2023

“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to attempt to run in the Daytona 500,” said Daly. “It is the most prestigious race in NASCAR and to have the chance to compete in it is truly an honor. I am also excited to be running the entire IndyCar Series season and select NASCAR Cup events. I am looking forward to the challenge and can’t wait to get behind the wheel of whatever BITNILE.COM race car, boat, scooter or dune buggy they ask me to drive.”

Daly’s ride in the Daytona 500 comes on the heels of his first NASCAR Cup Series start last October in the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway, where he finished 34th.

“We are thrilled to announce that Conor will be attempting to run in the 2023 Daytona 500,” said TMT Racing co-owner Willy Auchmoody. “Conor is a talented driver who performed well in his first Cup race for us last fall and we believe he has what it takes to compete at the highest level in NASCAR’s premier event.”

TMT Racing co-owner and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather added, “The Money Team Racing shocked the world by making the Daytona 500 last year and I believe in this team and know we will prepare a great car for this year’s race. Like a fighter who’s always ready to face the best, Conor has the courage to buckle into this beast without any practice and put that car into the field. Conor is like a hungry fighter and my kind of guy. I sure wouldn’t bet against him.”

Adding the 31-year-old to the Daytona 500 mix is the latest non-charter entry in the event, that also includes drivers Jimmie Johnson, Travis Pastrana, Chandler Smith, Austin Hill and Zane Smith. Four spots will be up for grabs during qualifying and the duels.