Photo Credit: Ashley McCubbin
Conor Daly and his No. 18 Jonathan Byrd’s Hospitality Honda felt poised for a good weekend in Toronto, but pit lane issues left Daly frustrated with series officials.
“The race was going well – we got the lead, but just (issues in) the pitlane,” a frustrated Daly told OnPitRoad.com after the race. “What we predicted what would happen, did happen. It was a total cluster of Hinch going out, me trying to leave, while Ryan (Hunter-Reay) was coming in, and I fell from seventh to 17th. We told the series it would happen, and it did.
“It was a shame it was like that, but our car was fast,” Daly said. “We struggled in the straight-line. Really hard to defend from people, but overall was pleased with our car pace. We just got swallowed up with several different incidents.”
The weekend was going well for Daly after qualifying his Dale Coyne Racing Honda inside the top-10.
“Qualifying was great for us,” he said. “We had our best qualifying of the year. It was nice for us to almost make the Fast Six.”
After issues on the first pit stop of the day, Daly found himself in the back half of the running order. He notable was racing with Charlie Kimball, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Juan Pablo Montoya where aggressive moves made for some intense racing.
“We banged wheels several times, me and Charlie (Kimball),” Daly explained. “His car was quite fast. There was nothing really I could do. Racing with Ryan was always good. Montoya and I came together once, but I just had to do everything I could do to defend. I had no straightaway speed, so if I could try and defend in the corners, and keep my position, that was all I had to do.”
Following DNFs in the last two races at Road America and Iowa Speedway, Daly knew how important it was to finish the race. Although he ended the day in 15th, Daly was pleased with how he raced, and glad to see the checkered flag.
“It was a really tough race,” he said. “More contact than I’ve ever had in a race, but we still made it to the end, which is really important for us.”
