Daly's finish earns bragging rights over roommates

Conor Daly had his best run of the year for A.J. Foyt by charging from 11th to fifth Saturday night at Gateway. But for the driver who has dubbed his season-long misadventures #badluckconor, it didn't come easy.

On lap 180, Daly tried to look inside on 10th-place Charlie Kimball when he was put on the receiving end of a move down low that got IndyCar's attention, although no further action was taken.

"How did he get away with that? Reactionary blocking! What an idiot," Daly screamed over the radio.

This incident between the 83 and 4 is under review.#INDYCAR#Bommarito500https://t.co/1I2Xejdij6pic.twitter.com/UtNq3EXjpU— IndyCar Series (@IndyCar)August 27, 2017

And as the field was set to restart on lap 212 after Ryan Hunter-Reay slapped the wall, Daly found himself in the top 10 with two imposing figures in front of him.

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"I have to pass my former roommate [James Hinchcliffe], and then my current roommate [Alexander Rossi]," he deadpanned.

But Daly soon pulled off both moves and challenged Helio Castroneves for fourth in the race's waning laps, coming home a season-best fifth. His last top-five finish was at Watkins Glen in 2016.

"We had a good car all weekend," Daly said. "I was really upset with myself after qualifying, just had a big moment at the exit of [Turn] 1, but we redeemed ourselves. Then I tried to screw it up for myself again in the pits, but we were able to drive back. The car was just fantastic. I have to thank the team, I have to thank ABC Supply for sticking with us. I know it's been a tough year, but I know we can do it. I know this team can do it. We're just improving and it takes time. This is a hard sport."

Asked about the close call with Kimball, Daly responded: "I won't say anything bad about [Kimball], but it was just one of those really late moves that, being on an oval it's not great to do. I mean everyone's racing hard, it's obviously tough on a short oval to make ground, but I mean that could have ruined my race right there. I thought the wing was gone going into the next corner, but it was still there. So thank you Chevy, for making strong pieces.

"But, yeah, I'm just happy to be here, and just hope I can be here for many more races."