With a stellar season already under his belt, INDECK driver, Conor Daly could clinch yet another championship this weekend at Mosport International Speedway. With six wins, eight poles and ten podium finishes in the first eleven races, Daly will take a 69 point advantage to Mosport over Norwegian, Anders Krohn. With two races still on the schedule, Daly already has more podium finishes and pole positions than any other driver in the 23 year history of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.
Daly, who is just 18 years old, just needs to finish 12th or better to clinch the championship which prompts the question; will he change his strategy and drive conservatively? “I am a race car driver on a mission to win. It would be an insult to the dedicated Juncos Team for me not to mirror their efforts and give it everything I’ve got. We will not change strategy this weekend. I love Mosport and I can’t wait for the first practice session”, said Daly.
Daly’s remarkable record setting year could have been even better but for two incidents in New Jersey (round 6, June 26th) and Autobahn (round 8, July 30th). In New Jersey he was leading, and on his way to setting a new record for the most consecutive wins at five, when he was given a stop and go penalty for allegedly jumping the start. The penalty was a mistake and Star Mazda officials apologized the next day. Despite the penalty, Daly sliced through the field recording the fastest race lap and another podium finish.
At Autobahn, he was disqualified after qualifying for a technical infraction and had to start at he back of the grid. In front of a live HD-NET television audience he again sliced through the field to another podium finish, setting fastest race lap along the way. “Ironically, the two penalties gave me a chance to test my ability to pass cars and what a blast it was to chase people down and pass them. This has been a great series for me that taught me a lot. I consider what happened at New Jersey and Autobahn a great part of my education - even though I missed out on a significant record in New Jersey”, said Daly.
Daly is the son of former Formula One and Indy car driver Derek Daly. He has been ranked the No.1 open wheel driver in America for the past three months (www.eformulacarnews.com), displaying his versatility by winning on road courses, street courses and ovals. Never before has a Star Mazda driver had this honor.
This is Daly’s second season in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. In 2009, as a member of the MAZDASPEED driver development ladder system, he finished third in the points with one win and one pole. In 2008 he won the British Walter Hayes Formula Ford Trophy in England for Team USA, the Ontario Formula Ford Rookie of the Year title and the Mazda Skip Barber National Championship.
Daly is a two time Kart Racers of America junior champion. He is also a two time World Karting Association Champion in addition to the TaG Senior Stars of Karting champion.
Daly is sponsored by: INDECK, The College Network, Callcap, Merchant Services LTD and Tom Lange Company with additional support from; St. Vincent Sports Performance, Alpinestars, Electric eyewear and Arai helmets.
For more information, log onto www.conordaly.net
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