Full Breakdown
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Announces Full-Time IndyCar Return in 2027 with Conor Daly
9/6/2026, 11:07:39 AM
Core Announcement: Full-Season Return and Driver Lineup
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR) confirmed it will re-enter the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as a full-time entrant in 2027. The team will field the new No. 24 entry, powered by Honda, with veteran Indiana driver Conor Daly signing a multiyear contract. DRR secured the entry by purchasing a charter from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, announced on July 22.
Background & Context
Founded in 1999, DRR has contested the Indy 500 every year since 2000, qualifying 58 drivers. The team last ran a full-time program in 2012, when Oriol Servia finished 13th in the championship. After part-time entries, the organization bought a charter in July 2022 and, following founder Dennis Reinbold’s death on June 13, his son Derek assumed the CEO role and oversaw the return plan.
Timeline
- July 22: DRR announced the charter acquisition for the 2027 full-time campaign.
- June 13: Team co-owner Dennis Reinbold passed away.
- Early September 2026: DRR revealed the 2027 driver and engine partnership.
- 2027 season: DRR will compete full-time with Honda power and Conor Daly behind the wheel.
Data & Statistics
- Conor Daly enters 2027 with 133 INDYCAR starts since 2013.
- Career highlights include a second-place finish at the 2016 Detroit Grand Prix, a pole at Iowa in 2020, and a podium at Milwaukee in 2024.
- He previously ran the DRR entry at Indianapolis in 2024 (10th) and 2026 (12th), leading 26 laps and posting the fastest lap of the 2026 race at 225.126 mph.
- DRR’s switch from Chevrolet to Honda includes a technical alliance granting access to data from Rahal Letterman Lanigan’s Honda program.
Official Statements & Responses
Daly noted his prior experience with DRR at Indianapolis gives the team confidence. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying the confidence shown by the team and Honda motivates him to work harder than ever. Team president Brett DeBord described the driver selection as straightforward, highlighting Daly’s commitment and personality fit, and underscored the strategic value of the partnership with Rahal Letterman Lanigan.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Dreyer & Reinbold Racing is returning to full-time competition in 2027 with Honda engines, and Conor Daly is the driver we want leading that return,” — Derek Reinbold, DRR CEO
- “I am extremely grateful to get back to full-time IndyCar racing with my friends at Dreyer and Reinbold Racing and Honda,” — Conor Daly
- “It was an easy decision for us,” — Brett DeBord
Why It Matters
The return makes DRR the first Indiana-based team to field an Indiana driver in a full-time IndyCar effort, boosting regional fan engagement. The Honda alliance and data sharing could accelerate performance development, especially on road and street circuits where DRR has historically lagged.
What’s Next
DRR indicated that further details on corporate partners and operational plans for the 2027 program will be released in the coming months as the team prepares for preseason testing and the upcoming race calendar.
