American driver Conor Daly, 34, topped the first day of open testing for the 110th Indianapolis 500, recording a fastest lap of 225.394 mph on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Driving the No. 23 Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, Daly used a tow from other cars to set the pace late in the session.
American driver Conor Daly returned to the cockpit for the first time in 2026 and made an immediate statement, pacing the opening day of open testing for the historic Indianapolis 500. The Noblesville, Indiana native—who grew up near the speedway—clocked a best lap of 225.394 mph on the 2.5-mile oval with less than 10 minutes remaining in the session.
How did Conor Daly achieve the fastest lap?
Daly benefited from a tow provided by other cars on track, which helped him reach the high speed. He drives the No. 23 Chevrolet for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. This performance comes after Daly missed major races in recent seasons, making his strong showing one of the positive surprises of the test.
Who were the top competitors?
The competition was fierce. Veteran Tony Kanaan finished second by a narrow margin, while Kyle Larson placed third. The coming days are expected to see intense battles among drivers as they vie for starting positions in the main event.
Why are the Indy 500 Open Tests important?
The open tests are a crucial opportunity for teams and drivers to fine-tune car setups before the biggest race in open-wheel racing. They allow teams to gather important performance data on the famous track, especially with new technical adjustments that could affect balance and speed.
What does this mean for the Indy 500?
Topping Day 1 does not necessarily make Daly the favorite to win, but it gives him added confidence and proves his car is competitive. With remaining test days, teams will work to improve performance and reduce time gaps, making the final race highly exciting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Conor Daly?
Conor Daly is an American racing driver, 34, from Noblesville, Indiana. He has competed in multiple IndyCar seasons and has endurance racing experience, including the Daytona 24 Hours.
What speed did Conor Daly set on Day 1 of the Indy 500 Open Test?
Conor Daly recorded a fastest lap of 225.394 mph (approximately 362.7 km/h) on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
When is the 2026 Indianapolis 500?
The 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, preceded by practice and qualifying days.
Sources
- Motorsport.com — Conor Daly paces Day 1 of Indy 500 Open Test
