IndyCar’s return to Iowa this past weekend brought plenty of surprises as Speed Street host Conor Daly was called last minute to fill-in for Jack Harvey at Dale Coyne Racing. He joins co-host Chase Holden to detail how he got the call Friday night and boarded Roger Penske’s plane Saturday morning to be on stand-by as the situation developed by the minute. While the IndyCar rulebook kept him out of the driver’s seat for race one, due to his lack of seat time during the event weekend, he was granted a special session Sunday morning to help him prepare for race two. He and Chase recap both races and break down how the recent track repave and additional weight from the new hybrid system led to an overall lack of racing action.

Race winners Scott McLaughlin and Will Power both joined the show this week to discuss how Team Penske utilized fuel strategy and quick pit stops to sweep the weekend. Scott laid down a lap fast enough to break the track record and captured the pole for the second race, but found his way to the front during race one to capture his first ever IndyCar oval victory. He explains that it was apparent early on in the race that the second lane would be ineffective, and he credits his pit crew with helping him overtake Colton Herta. Will Power started farther back in race two and immediately went into fuel saving mode to help chop his way through the field. Another quick Penske pit stop helped him get by Alex Palou and he held on for his second win of the 2024 season.

The hybrid era is upon us, and Conor Daly had boots on the ground at Mid-Ohio to take in this historic moment in IndyCar history firsthand. He joins co-host Chase Holden to chat about what unfolded in the race, which saw Pato O’Ward take a hard fought victory home over the dominant Alex Palou. Conor shares the observation that many drivers seem to be struggling with how the hybrid system changes the balance of the race car and that he noticed more pit road stalling than ever before. The guys also make a case for better IndyCar victory lane celebrations and help listeners get ready for the upcoming weekend in Iowa by making their podium predictions. Also, Conor shares some exciting news that he’ll be back behind the wheel next weekend in Indianapolis for some NASCAR competition.

Mid-Ohio race winner Pato O’Ward joins the show and fills listeners in on how he was able to overtake Alex Palou late in the race and hold him off for his sixth career IndyCar victory. He explains that the new hybrid system doesn’t give the same indication that the driver is in first gear as they are used to, causing Palou to be delayed in leaving his pit stall and allowing Pato to get by into the lead. Pato also shares the fascinating story of how his racing career nearly came to an end when he was denied a FIA Super License and how he ended up taking the seat he currently occupies at Arrow-McLaren. Finally, Pato shares insight to his heartbreaking defeat in this year’s running of the Indianapolis 500 and how he was able to wrangle an ill-handling racecar to nearly winning the Greatest Spectacle in Motorsports.

Conor Daly reports from Pastranaland and joins co-host Chase Holden to chat about his adventurous weekend and to preview the upcoming new era of IndyCar. If you’re hearing this episode, there’s been another change in the Arrow-McLaren paddock, as it is reported that Alexander Rossi will be replaced by Christian Lundgaard in the 2025 season. Conor and Chase speculate where Alexander may end up, and how his Indianapolis 500-championship resume ensures he’ll likely land in a competitive ride. They also discuss the recent Iowa Speedway test that saw Colton Herta top the charts and many drivers exceed the previous track record thanks to this year’s repave.

Conor offers listeners a basic breakdown of how the new hybrid system will work in IndyCar and how it will promote a new level of strategy amongst the drivers. He also talks about teaming up with Travis Pastrana and the Channel 199 crew for some off-kilter racing activities at the Hartford and Kalamazoo Speedway facilities in Michigan before retreating to Pastranaland to create some new death-defying content. The “four minutes of fun for the four-4-time Indy 500 champions” segment returns and Conor details a recent Delta Airlines nightmare he experienced. Plus, the guys preview Mid-Ohio and make their not-so-perfect podium picks.