Driver in Indy 500 will wear Purdue Global logo on his helmet this year

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 in this year's event. For Sunday's race, he is partnering with Purdue Global to show the importance of "comebacks" and of our military members and their families.

"Purdue University is well-known for its support of military individuals and families," a release from the university said, "ranked by College Consensus as one of the best colleges in the nation for veterans. At Purdue Global, created in 2018, a remarkable one-third of its 35,000 students today have a military affiliation."

Schedule for the 2023 Indy 500

• 12:24 p.m. — National Anthem, song by Jewel

• 12:36 p.m. — "Back Home in Indiana," performed by Jim Cornelison

• 12:38 p.m. — Command to start engines, by Roger Penske

• 12:47 p.m. — Green flag to start the 107th running of the Indy 500

Daly's comeback this year will follow up on his 2019, 2021 and 2022 finishing placements. In 2019, Daly finished 10th. In 2021, he led the race before being struck by a loose wheel, the release said. Despite this setback, Daly pursued and climbed back to 13th place. Last year, Daly was once again at the front of the race before crossing the finish line in sixth place.

"With similar persistence, Purdue Global is built for working adults who want to earn a degree online that they can be proud of and that employers respect," the release said, especially in regards to pushing forward in daunting situations. "Purdue Global views 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 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 real education and opportunity for more,” Braden said in the release. “We are thrilled to partner with Conor. He’s a fan favorite, with Boilermaker-like grit and a love for our country.”

Daly himself commented on his partnership with the university, saying that the online options provided for working adults are allowing for "inspiring" stories to be told.

“The partnership with Purdue Global is exciting for me, especially given the connection with our family and Purdue’s commitment to our military,” Daly said in the release. “The fact that so many of our nation’s service members and veterans choose to come back to Purdue Global is impressive. Purdue Global provides working adults a chance to earn their degree online on their terms, and the stories I am hearing as part of their new ‘This Is My Comeback’ campaign are inspiring.”

This weekend, Daly etched his name into the Indianapolis 500 starting grid for the 10th time, according to Purdue.

"Daly wheeled his No. 20 Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet around the Brickyard’s famed 2.5-mile oval at a scorching speed of 232.433 mph," the release said. "His effort placed him on the inside of row six, in the 16th position among the fastest field in Indianapolis 500 history."

For more information on Purdue Global, visit its website online.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Driver Conor Daly will represent Purdue Global at 2023 Indy 500