The NTT IndyCar Series annual Content Day was last week, where drivers walked around in their firesuits and spoke with various media outlets to help kickstart the season.

While it may sound tiring, Juncos Hollinger Racings most recent full-time hire, Conor Daly, had a fresh perspective.

Well, honestly, its nice to be back, Daly began. I think a lot of drivers are like, Oh, this is tough. But you dont realize how much you miss it until you dont have an opportunity to do it.

I think its important to appreciate it, and its cool to be here. It is a long day, but its cool to be here and just chat with everyone.

This year will be Dalys first full-time season in the IndyCar Series since 2022 with Ed Carpenter Racing. His ride with ECR came to an end following the first Detroit Grand Prix in 2023.

Since then, hes competed in a wide variety of series. From the NASCAR Xfinity Series to Nitrocross, Dalys driven it all all while keeping his focus on returning to the American open-wheel series again.

Hell have that opportunity with JHR, who he ironically has a winning track record with dating back to 2010 when he scored USF Pro 2000 title with the team.

Many things have changed in 15 years, however, the teams key pillars remain as committed as ever.

Brad (Hollinger) has been super supportive of us as a group, and then Ricardo (Juncos), I mean, Ricardo is like that guy would die for this team, Daly said. That guy loves what hes doing. He wants this group to be successful as much as possible.

Bringing in Dave ONeill, too, Dave ONeill is very experienced. Hes a great guy. David Brown, as well, who Ive met, who I believe was my dads (Derek Daly) mechanic in Formula 1 in 1982 at Williams, which is crazy. I dont know if thats a confirmed fact, but Im sure that makes them feel experienced.

But yeah, its a good group, and theres a lot of young guys there, too, that I think are extremely, extremely talented mechanics and chief mechanics. The youth and the energy in that team is really, really strong, Daly continued.

It just feels like a great growing environment and a team that obviously, it takes a while to find success in this sport. Like any new team thats come in, it takes you some time. Were working our way there, and Im excited to be a part of the journey.

Weve got to get them lets try to win the Indy 500 this year together. That would be a great start. Then go from there.

Daly, whos not afraid to hop in at a minutes notice for a team when needed, had that opportunity with JHR last year after Augustin Canapino was relieved of driving duties.

Daly made the most of his five-race schedule as the Indiana native snagged his first podium finish finish (third) since 2016 at Belle Isle (Detroit, Mich.) at the first Milwaukee Mile race in Wisconsin.

The result earned JHR its first podium finish.

It was that moment that Daly believes earned him a full-time ride.

I think its the only reason why Im here, honestly, Daly admitted. Thats it. Its a results-based industry. Its an industry that we showed a lot of other speed in other places, but even the 10th place in Nashville that I thought was one of our best races in a long time, we qualified sixth, finished 10th, thats not really what matters.

Youve got to get trophies. Youve got to be up front. Youve got to be doing stuff that makes people take a second look, take a third look even.

Even still, there was times where, thankfully that Im there, our engineering group, theyre like, Portland we were pretty fast too but no one will know because we got wrecked and we missed a session, Daly continued.

But in the race I think they were actually more impressed than they thought, because everyone thinks Im just an oval guy. So it was just nice to at least show them that, too, because were going at this for the whole thing.

We want to go at this every weekend and try to get podiums every weekend.