BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Conor Daly won't have to endure watching the Indianapolis 500 from a few thousand miles away this year.
He'll be a participant instead. Schmidt Peterson Motorsports announced Saturday at Barber Motorsports Park that Daly will drive its third entry, the No. 43 Honda, in the May 24 race.
The 23-year-old Daly competed in the 2013 Indy 500 for A.J. Foyt Racing and said he's "over the moon" to have another chance in the race. He has been racing in Europe on the GP3 and GP2 series, trying to work his way to Formula 1.
"It was killer to miss it last year," he said. "I was really hurting watching every session on my computer while I was in Europe. Really, really nice to be back. Very satisfying."
Daly drove for Dale Coyne Racing at Long Beach on less than an hour's notice before the final practice session when he switched from giving guests rides around the track to preparing to race. He finished 17th.
"We've always felt he was capable of being full-time in IndyCar," Sam Schmidt said, "and he proved that last week."
His father, Derek Daly, is a former Formula One and IndyCar driver and longtime broadcaster. Derek Daly twice won the 12 Hours of Sebring and competed in six Indy 500s.
Conor Daly said his father has been "at the front of the fight" in trying to get him back in an IndyCar ride for Indianapolis during the last few months.