Kyle Larson chimes in on what will be a much anticipated start in the 108th Indianapolis 500 in 2024. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – When Kyle Larson attempts to qualify for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500, he hopes to become the first NASCAR Cup Series competitor to attempt the Indy-Charlotte double slated for Sunday, May 26, 2024.
Since John Andretti’s venture in 1994, only four other drivers have attempted the Memorial Day Double, a bit of a rarity with the demands and grind of NTT IndyCar Series and NASCAR Cup Series competition. From the likes of Davy Jones to Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch, the latter making his attempt in 2014, it is a tremendous undertaking for any driver pursuing 1,100 miles of Memorial Day Sunday motorsports action.
As of press time, Tony Stewart is the only driver to complete the tremendous feat successfully in 2001, finishing on the lead lap in sixth in the Indianapolis 500 before tallying a courageous third place result in the Coca-Cola 600.
While Busch tied Stewart’s sixth place result in the Indianapolis 500, he came up a bit short in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte when he placed 40th, 130 laps short of the race distance due to an engine failure.
Suffice to say, Larson, who looks forward to fulfilling one of his lifelong dreams of competing in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” understands the complexities of pursuing the double.
“I would say everything that I race is much more simple than an INDYCAR,” Larson said. “The only kind of thing I feel like that I have to judge off of that was new to me, not overwhelming but just stressful, was when I did the Rolex for the few years that we did.
“Obviously, (these are) different cars, but a lot more total different kind of foreign style racing to me, which I feel like INDYCAR stuff would be a little bit that way, with just race procedure stuff, the cockpits are way more in-depth than what I’m used to in anything that I race.”
Then again, Larson is a generational talent who adapts to any kind of racecar with relative ease. Much like Stewart, Gordon, Busch and legends like Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt, the Elk Grove, California native eases into the driver’s seat with genuine versatility.
Likewise, he is cognizant and savvy with the components of a car in terms of extracting the maximum performance. Once the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion has seat time in an Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet Dallara, he will understand the nuances and parts of the IndyCar he will familiarize himself with during the Month of May in 2024.
“In a stock car, I’m worried about turning on brake fans,” he said. “If I don’t, it’s really not a big deal. Sprint car I have a wing valve. Late models nothing. Midgets nothing. In an INDYCAR, you got I don’t even know. You could probably tell me everything. You have boost, weight jackers, bars, all sorts of stuff that I want to be ready for and know when they tell me to do this or do that, I can be quick to it, not hesitate and give up something that might be crucial for the end of the race.
“As far as the driving, the driving part of it I think, hopefully that all will come naturally. I don’t really know. I don’t have any experience yet to even have an opinion on what it could relate to or if it is totally just different than anything I’ve been in.”
By driving different cars, Larson takes the knowledge and experiences that gains and implements it into his regular ride, the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Notably, he observed how Cup racing has some semblances to one of the world’s most prestigious forms of open wheel competition.
Gavin Ward, Larson and Jeff Gordon meet with members of the press on Thursday, May 18. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)
“I feel like our NASCAR racing has trended a little bit closer to INDYCAR style of strategy, with fuel savings, stuff like that. I think I have more experience now than I would have had three years ago on that side of things,” he said.
For now, Larson is a student who looks forward to applying what he sees and learns from his INDYCAR teammates, Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi, Felix Rosenqvist and Tony Kanaan.
With a seat fitting in the books as well as a day to observe the second full day of Indianapolis 500 pre-qualifying practice, it is only a matter of time before the Elk Grove, Californian is the one behind the wheel, aiming for consistent laps of 229 mph.
Certainly, Larson is no stranger with driving different cars as he is a regular presence in the High Limit Sprint Car Series and dirt late model series. He treats each opportunity as another way to elevate his craft as a driver.
“There’s going to be a lot to soak in over the next year, and I look forward to the challenge,” Larson said. I love racing new vehicles to challenge myself and learn something new. I feel like ultimately it makes me a better race car driver.
“I think no matter the result throughout this whole experience, I think I’m going to become a better race car driver from it. So, I’m excited about all that.”
Editor’s Notes
Luis Torres contributed to this article directly on-site from Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana.
