INDIANAPOLIS – After being asked to stand on the sidelines the past three races, Gabby Chaves has been tapped by Harding Racing to return to the cockpit of the No. 88 car for this weekend's Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at Gateway Motorsports Park.
Ahead of the street course race in Toronto, the 2015 rookie of the year 2014 Indy Lights champion was taken out of the car and replaced by Conor Daly. Team officials said they wished to use the final six races of the season to evaluate their prospects for the future as they examined the possibility of incorporating a second car to join the No. 88 next year.
Officials of the first-year, full-time team also said they wanted to use the opportunity to garner a different technical perspective from new drivers. Daly, who filled in for Chaves at Toronto, Mid-Ohio and Pocono, received glowing reviews from team president Brian Barnhart on his ability to provide just that.
"I first want to thank Conor for his contributions over the last couple of months and giving another perspective and feedback," Barnhart said of Daly, who finished 13th, 22nd and 15th in his three races. "We're excited and happy to have Gabby back in the car as we head to St. Louis.
So far this season, short ovals have not been kind to Harding Racing. In Phoenix, Chaves started 19th and finished 15th, while at Iowa, the Colombian driver came in 21st after finishing just 99 laps because of mechanical issues.