News and Commentary

Indy Car Driver Loses Sponsorship After His DAD Admits To Using A Racial Slur In The 1980s

   DailyWire.com

Eli Lilly pulled its sponsorship of Indy Car racer, Conor Daly, after Conor’s father, Derek Daly, admitted to using a racial slur during a live radio broadcast in the 1980s, almost a decade before Conor Daly was born.

Lilly Diabetics was expected to be a primary sponsor of Daly’s #6 car in his NASCAR debut this weekend, but told local media Friday evening that it “didn’t want the distraction from their cause,” presented by Derek Daly’s admission.

“Our sponsorship in Saturday’s race is intended to raise awareness of treatment options and resources for people living with diabetes. Unfortunately, the comments that surfaced this week by Derek Daly distract from this focus, so we have made the decision that Lilly Diabetes will no longer run the No. 6 at Road America this weekend,” the company said in a statement. “We remain committed to our mission of supporting people with diabetes.”

Last week, Derek Daly was revealed to have been part of an on-air conversation with Indianapolis Colts radio announcer Bob Lamey that ended in both Daly and Lamey using the n-word. Daly acknowledged his use of the racial slur on Friday.

Lilly’s decision to punish Daly’s son, Conor, who wasn’t even born when Daly used the slur, shocked racing fans and racing journalists.

Lilly had agreed to sponsor Conor Daly at the Indy 500 and at the NASCAR Road America event as part of a partnership with Daly, who has Type 1 diabetes. Daly took part in Lilly’s campaign to help Type 2 diabetics better manage their condition with Lilly’s products.

Daly was, at least, grateful for Lilly’s support back in May, as he said in a gracious Tweet Saturday.

Daly came in 30th at the Road America race Saturday afternoon.

Create a free account to join the conversation!

Already have an account?

Log in

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip
The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  Indy Car Driver Loses Sponsorship After His DAD Admits To Using A Racial Slur In The 1980s
Daily Wire Plus
Facts and headlines on the go.
Download the Daily Wire app.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
Download App QR CodeScan the QR Code to Download
FacebookXInstagramYouTubeRSS
Daily Wire PlusFacts and headlines on the go.
Download the Daily Wire app.
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
© Copyright 2025, The Daily Wire LLC  | Terms | Privacy
Podcast compliance badge