Conor Daly Shows American Colors For Diabetes

Conor Daly shows off his new ride for the 100th runnning of the Indianapolis 500. [Russ Lake Photo]

by Allan Brewer

Dayle Coyne Racing’s Conor Daly came out of the closet about his previously unreported history of Type 1 diabetes mellitus with the announcement today that Eli Lilly Corporation, whose business has long revolved around insulin manufacture, has become a co-primary sponsor of the No. 18 Dallara/Honda. The Noblesville, Indiana native became aware of his disease at the age of fourteen, and has taken two kinds of insulin for years to manage his condition. The aim for both driver and company is to bring diabetes, a common disease in America, to the attention of the public—and in particular to highlight the one in four military servicemen and women who are afflicted with the disease.

“I never said anything about the diabetes until now,” admitted Conor, a local who was born and raised in suburban Noblesville, Indiana. Daly, much like Ganassi Racing’s Charlie Kimball (who also has Type 1 dibetes mellitus), takes two kinds of insulin and monitors his blood sugar closely under the supervision of his physician. “My endocrinologist and I talk all the time, communicating data, blood sugar and so forth,” said Conor.

“My symptoms were pretty typical,” said Conor of his initial warning that his body had gone awry. “I was on my way to Skip Barber Racing School one day when I noticed I had lost a ton of weight, and I was thirsty all the time. My dad (former Formula 1 star Derek Daly) said ‘We should get you checked out,” and it turned out to be diabetes.” The setback has never been a factor in his ambition. He said “We got instructions about how to manage it, and I took the mindset that if that’s what I have to do to go racing, then let’s get on with it.”

Daly offers some practical advice for others with the condition, including those who don’t spend much time on a racetrack at over two hundred miles per hour: “The main thing is to be prepared, to keep up with your sugar; always eat the right things, always have breakfast, be consistent in eating and in checking the direction of your blood sugar.”

Mike Mason of Lilly Diabetes US said “It’s important to get the message out on this special day (Memorial Day), and it is appropriate for Lilly to take this opportunity to remind people that this disease afflicts one many, many Americans.” “It’s cool to represent Lilly and spread the word to the general population and especially the military veterans,” millions of whom have diabetes, added Conor.

Eli Lilly Company was started 140 years ago, and many of its employees grew up watching or attending the 500. It is safe to say that Lilly is as much a pillar in the community as IMS. “It didn’t seem right for us not to be here,” Mason concluded.