Despite current revelations of a $3.5 million sponsorship deficit, Conor Daly’s place at Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR) stays safe. The crew’s principal, Dave O’Neill, has confirmed that Daly’s position within the No. 77 Chevy was by no means depending on the substantial sponsorship sum anticipated from cryptocurrency firm Polkadot.
O’Neill, in an interview with RACER, confirmed that Daly’s engagement is unshakeable. “Conor will certainly be at the wheel,” he stated. He added that the media storm surrounding the funding fiasco was blown out of proportion. Daly has already introduced in some funding, and the crew wasn’t banking on the Polkadot cash.
The much-discussed $3.5 million determine was not correct, in response to O’Neill. The preliminary request of $3.5 million was denied, and a subsequent $2.5 million proposal was additionally turned down. Nonetheless, one other funding proposal is within the works for the Indy 500. “Any funds that come from that will likely be warmly welcomed at JHR as it is going to be invested in operating the automobile and the enterprise,” he added.
Daly has greater than only one monetary backer. “Conor has round 5 or 6 potential sponsors within the pipeline, and two or three of those have already been secured,” O’Neill revealed. Daly’s appointment wasn’t solely based mostly on his capacity to draw sponsors; his driving expertise had been additionally a big issue. “We didn’t signal him simply because he had a certain quantity of sponsorship {dollars}. We signed him as a result of I imagine he’s a very gifted driver, and it so occurred that he thought he may deliver some funding with him.”
Nonetheless, a clause does exist inside JHR that allows the crew to usher in one other sponsored driver for the No. 77 automobile if wanted to satisfy the working price range necessities. Despite this provision, crew house owners Ricardo Juncos and Brad Hollinger are usually not dashing to discover this risk. “We don’t presently have any plans to try this,” O’Neill clarified, including that the crew is dedicated to having Daly within the cockpit for the total season.
O’Neill is enthusiastic concerning the upcoming season, not only for Daly’s efficiency on the ovals but in addition his prowess on avenue tracks and highway programs, the place he’s confirmed to excel. Despite the monetary turbulence, plainly Daly’s future at Juncos Hollinger Racing stays vibrant and safe.
