WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Driver Conor Daly and Purdue’s online university, Purdue Global, are partnering for this year’s Indianapolis 500 with their own comeback stories.
The Indy 500 has been an Indiana tradition on Memorial Day weekend since 1911.
Daly is making his 10th career start at this year’s tournament. For Sunday’s race, he is partnering with Purdue Global to show the importance of “giving back” to both our military members and their families.
“Purdue University is known for its support of military individuals and families,” the university said in a statement, “ranked by College Consensus as one of the nation’s best colleges for veterans. At Purdue Global, founded in 2018, a remarkable one-third of the 35,000 students today have a military affiliation.”
2023 Indy 500 Schedule
- 12:24 — National Anthem, song by Jewel
- 12:36 pm — “Back Home in Indiana,” performed by Jim Cornelison
- 12:38 pm — Engine start command, Roger Penske
- 12:47 p.m. — Green flag to start the 107th running of the Indy 500
Daly’s return this year will follow his finishes in 2019, 2021 and 2022. In 2019, Daly finished 10th. He was leading the race in 2021 before being hit by a loose wheel, the statement said. Despite this setback, Daly continued and returned to 13th place. Last year, Daly once again led the race before crossing the finish line in sixth place.
“With similar tenacity, Purdue Global is built for working adults who want to earn an online degree they can be proud of and employers respect,” the statement said, particularly in terms of pushing forward in daunting situations. “Purdue Global sees the partnership with Daly as an opportunity to engage and encourage working adults, including active duty military and veterans, to not simply go back to school, but to come back to Purdue Global and move forward in their careers.”
R. Ethan Braden, executive vice president, chief marketing and communications officer for Purdue University and Purdue Global, commented on the partnership with Daly.
“With Purdue Global in the Purdue portfolio, in addition to our Purdue Polytechnic high schools across the state of Indiana, Purdue is helping more individuals than ever access the right education and opportunities for more,” Braden said in a statement. “We are delighted to partner with Conor. He’s a fan favorite, with Boilermaker toughness and a love for our country.”
Daly himself commented on his partnership with the university, saying the online options provided to working adults allow “inspiring” stories to be told.
“Partnering with Purdue Global is exciting for me, especially given the connection to our family and Purdue’s commitment to our military,” Daly said in a statement. “The fact that so many members of our nation and veterans have chosen to return to Purdue Global is impressive. Purdue Global is giving working adults the opportunity to earn their degree online on their terms, and the stories I’m hearing about their new ‘This Is My Comeback’ campaign are inspiring.”
This weekend, Daly etched his name on the starting grid for the Indianapolis 500 for the 10th time, according to Purdue.
“Daly drove his No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet around the famous 2.5-mile oval at the Brickyard at a top speed of 232.433 mph,” the release said. “His effort placed him on the inside of the sixth row, tied for 16th among the fastest field in Indianapolis 500 history.”
For more information about Purdue Global, visit its website online.
