Conor Daly and Honda Confirm Full-Time DRR Return in 2027

On September 5, Dreyer & Reinbold Racing confirmed Conor Daly’s full-time return to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from 2027. He will lead DRR’s new No. 24 entry.

The move coincides with DRR’s switch to Honda engines for 2027. The team last ran Honda from 2005 to 2011, before competing with other manufacturers.

It also marks DRR’s first full-season campaign since 2012, when Oriol Servia drove its lone entry. Re-entering full-time reshapes the team’s competitive cadence and development runway.

Daly welcomed the trust shown by DRR and Honda. He frames the commitment as motivation to elevate preparation, execution, and leadership across a multi-year program.

The return is enabled by a series charter acquired from Rahal Letterman Lanigan earlier this year. That step strengthens planning, staffing, and car build timelines across the calendar.

CEO Derek Reinbold emphasizes Daly’s work ethic, engineering feedback, and ability to maximize imperfect packages. The target is an Indianapolis 500 contender that can score routinely everywhere.

Daly’s record offers reference points. He owns 133 starts since 2013, a 2016 Detroit runner-up, and a 2020 Iowa pole, demonstrating qualifying upside and race-day adaptability.

With DRR at the Indy 500, Daly finished 10th in 2024 and 12th in 2026. He led 26 laps across those efforts, validating the partnership’s baseline.

Honda versus Chevrolet remains a central technical storyline. DRR’s switch prioritizes manufacturer alignment, drivability, and development latitude as regulations evolve and tire characteristics vary.

DRR’s lineage runs deep. Founded in 1999, the team traces roots to Floyd “Pop” Dreyer, a renowned builder tied to the Duesenberg operation and the 1931 Indy 500 front row.

Since 2000, DRR has been a regular Indianapolis entrant, qualifying 58 drivers at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” That institutional knowledge shapes its 2027 objectives.

Form consistency will matter across ovals, streets, and road courses. Recent benchmarks, including the season finale at Laguna Seca, underline the operational depth required to finish strongly.

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Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.