Conor Daly Will Race Kaulig Truck at Phoenix Raceway
The IndyCar veteran is set to pilot the No. 25 entry at the track on October 16, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Motorsports
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Conor Daly will compete for Kaulig Racing at Phoenix Raceway on October 16, 2026. This appearance marks the 34-year-old veteran's ninth career start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Why it matters
The race is part of Kaulig Racing's ongoing free-agent driver program, which evaluates competitors from various racing disciplines throughout the 2026 season. Drivers participating in the No. 25 truck are assessed based on performance for a season-ending prize.
Daly has 133 career NTT IndyCar Series starts and finished 12th in the 110th Indianapolis 500. His previous 2026 Truck Series results include a 26th-place finish at Indianapolis Raceway Park and 16th at Kansas Speedway.
The players
Conor Daly
He is an experienced driver with 133 career starts in the NTT IndyCar Series.
Kaulig Racing
This racing organization operates a free-agent program that utilizes drivers from multiple disciplines across five entries.
Regan Smith
He is a professional driver scheduled to make his second and final start for the No. 25 team at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
This team has secured Daly to compete for a full IndyCar schedule in the upcoming 2027 season.
The details
Kaulig Racing, which currently fields five entries, launched this program in November 2025 to test diverse racing talent. Daly prepares for this outing while also looking ahead to his 2027 season, where he is scheduled to compete for a full IndyCar schedule with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.
Timeline
November 2025: Kaulig Racing launched its free-agent driver program.
Mid-July 2026: Daly finished 26th at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
October 9, 2026: Regan Smith drives the No. 25 truck at Charlotte.
October 16, 2026: Daly drives the No. 25 truck at Phoenix Raceway.
2027: Daly competes for a full IndyCar schedule.
Season Trajectory
This race marks another installment in Kaulig Racing's strategy to rotate various drivers through its entry, impacting the team's standing in the owner's points race. The result will influence the evaluation of the No. 25 truck's competitive development as the season concludes.
Daly's finish will directly impact the No. 25 entry's position in the 2026 owner standings as it nears the end of the 25-race schedule. Fans should note that this is Daly's ninth career start in the series as he balances these appearances with his future 2027 IndyCar obligations.
The takeaway
Kaulig Racing continues to use the No. 25 truck as a testing ground for multi-disciplinary talent throughout the 2026 season. Fans can monitor these driver rotations to see which competitors may secure future full-time rides based on their performance in the program.
Further reading
For more on the current season standings and team developments, visit Motorsports.
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