“We have unfinished business,” Kyle Larson confidently asserted recently. The Cup Series champion stirred up a significant buzz across two racing series in May. With support from Hendrick Motorsports and IndyCar’s Arrow McLaren team, Larson took on the ambitious ‘Double.’ Unfortunately, rain thwarted his plans.
Despite this setback, Larson demonstrated he has the speed and capability to excel in the Indy 500. This has set McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, on a mission to bring together one of the top racers in the world with the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, aiming for 2025.
Kyle Larson and his team will be better prepared next time. Larson posted an impressive 233.543 mph in the Indy 500’s first round of qualifying, securing a 5th-place spot. He maintained a position in the top-10 during the final race but a speeding penalty hindered his chances, leading to an 18th-place finish. Afterward, Larson flew from Indianapolis to Charlotte, only to have rain prevent him from starting the Coca-Cola 600.
Despite his difficulties, Larson earned rookie of the year honors for his Indy 500 performance, which has motivated Zak Brown to intensify preparations for Larson’s 2025 Double plans. In a SiriusXM NASCAR interview, Brown revealed his efforts to prevent rain disruptions. “It’s definitely a possibility, and we’ve learned a lot this year. We’re working on a comprehensive backup plan, but we hope to avoid such issues.” This plan includes enlisting 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan.
To assist Larson, Kanaan will undergo a refresher course, as Brown explained. “We’ll prepare Tony Kanaan with some testing to refresh his skills. Apparently, even after 24 Indy 500s, you still need a refresher. He’ll be our backup plan.”
Kanaan, however, can only replace Larson if needed, starting at the back of the field, as per a 2016 IndyCar rule change that prohibits mid-race driver changes.
Brown’s main concern is different. He worries about Larson potentially missing out on the Indy 500 victory celebrations due to time constraints.
Larson may need to leave Indy early. The grueling 1100-mile challenge is notorious for its demands. In his 1999 attempt, Tony Stewart cited exhaustion after nearly completing the double. This year, NASCAR granted Larson a waiver due to his unique circumstances. Larson has prioritized the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, stating, “We’ll be there for the 600, even if it means cutting the Indy race short.”
Brown acknowledges this priority, adding, “I respect that. The Cup Series is his main focus.” Still, he humorously expressed a different worry: “What if Kyle wins the Indy 500? Will he have enough time to drink the milk and kiss the bricks before heading to Charlotte? That’s my main concern.”
Overall, both NASCAR and IndyCar are eager to give Kyle Larson a fair shot at the Double. If rain doesn’t intervene again, Larson is poised to make a significant impact in motorsport history.
