Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Confirms 2027 IndyCar Return with Daly and Honda

Key points

• DRR announced its 2027 full-time return at the 2026 season finale in Laguna Seca, marking its first full season since 2012.
• Conor Daly, 34, signed a multi-year contract to drive the No. 24 car, returning to full-time racing after a 2026 season without a ride.
• The team is switching from Chevrolet to Honda engines, a move linked to a technical alliance with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL).
• DRR purchased its charter from RLL in July, facilitating a data-sharing partnership between the two Indiana-based teams.
• The announcement honors the legacy of late founder Dennis Reinbold, who passed away in June 2026.

Background

DRR, established in 1999, has a long history in open-wheel racing, having qualified 58 drivers for the Indianapolis 500 since 2000. The team previously used Honda engines from 2005 to 2011. Conor Daly, a Noblesville, Indiana native, has 133 career IndyCar starts and previously served as a Fox Network broadcast analyst. His last full-time season was 2025 with Juncos Hollinger Racing, where he finished 18th in the championship.

How outlets are covering it

Motorsport.com and INDYCAR.com focus on the formal announcement and the emotional connection between Daly and the team, highlighting the 'Indiana driver in an Indiana team' narrative. IndyStar provides deeper operational context, noting that the switch to Honda is driven by a technical alliance with RLL, allowing DRR to share data on road courses while RLL benefits from DRR's Indy 500 expertise. IndyStar also details the leadership transition following Dennis Reinbold's death, crediting his son Derek and other executives for securing the charter and driver.

Why it matters

This move stabilizes DRR's future in IndyCar and provides a competitive platform for Daly, who has not had a full-time ride since 2025. The technical alliance with RLL could enhance performance for both teams, particularly in areas where they have historical strengths or weaknesses.

What to watch

DRR plans to release details on corporate partners and team operations for the 2027 program in the coming months. Daly will prepare for his first full season with the team, aiming to contend for wins and improve on his previous Indy 500 results.