Larson restarted twenty third following a miscue on pit street on lap 130 of the initially scheduled 160-lap race, took the lead within the first time beyond regulation and clinched the Brickyard 400 victory when a warning was displayed on the ultimate lap of the second time beyond regulation and Larson within the lead.
In his first interview after the race, Larson was already relishing his subsequent racing enterprise on the two.5-mile oval.
“I really like you, Indiana followers. I do know you guys love me, too.,” he stated to a roar from the group. “How about we come again subsequent Might and attempt to kiss these bricks in an IndyCar?”
It definitely appears a return look within the Indianapolis 500 is within the works – and a victory just isn’t out of the query.
Larson made his IndyCar Collection debut on this yr’s Indy 500 – a part of his try at ‘The Double’ – working the five hundred and Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup race on the identical day throughout Memorial Day weekend.
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren/Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, #98: Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta w/ Marco & Curb-Agajanian Honda, Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti International Honda
Photograph by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Pictures
Mom Nature had different plans, nonetheless.
Rain in Indianapolis delayed the beginning of the five hundred for a number of hours, which pressured Larson to overlook the beginning of the 600. As soon as he arrived in Charlotte for that race, it had already been crimson flagged for rain and was by no means restarted.
Because it turned out, lacking the 600 didn’t harm Larson’s NASCAR season – he leads the collection standings and now has 4 wins – however the aborted ‘Double’ left an unfulfilled feeling.
Will Larson be again for the 2025 Indy 500?
Workforce proprietor Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon each supplied a noncommittal “not but” when requested if Larson was cleared for one more ‘Double’ try, however the driver definitely is pushing for it.
“I imply, we undoubtedly have been speaking about it. I believe weighing what’s essential to everyone,” Larson stated. “It sounds good, I’ll say, up to now, however issues might change. Yeah, we’ll see.
“I’d clearly like to do it. I believe everyone is aware of I’d like to do it as a result of in my thoughts I didn’t get to do it this yr. I didn’t get to at the least do the ‘Double.’
“I hope that the items can fall into place, and we will hopefully get issues put collectively and announce one thing, get enthusiastic about doing the ‘Double’ subsequent yr.”
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro
Photograph by: David Rosenblum / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Larson confirmed loads of velocity in his first IndyCar stint, from follow, by means of qualifying and into the race itself. A few errors – going by means of the gears on a restart and a pit street rushing penalty – knocked him out of rivalry and he completed 18th.
But a victory within the Indy 500 is now the one one he’s missing within the three high-profile races wherein he’s competed at IMS.
“Attending to stay by means of that race this yr, like, it’s clearly a really robust race. Very related race, however very robust,” Larson stated of the five hundred. “These Penske automobiles are silly quick. It was going to be just about unimaginable for anyone to beat Josef Newgarden).
“Hopefully subsequent yr with the hybrid stuff, there’s extra alternative for extra groups to be sooner. Hopefully sometime I can get an opportunity to win the five hundred.
“I’ve received on the filth observe on the BC39, acquired to kiss the bricks there. Now within the 400. I suppose there’s yet another to test off, which is the Indy 500, which might be fairly particular.”
