Kyle Larson opens up about logistics of Indy 500 prep, All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600
Kyle Larson’s racing schedule is always packed to some extent, but that rings even more true when you look at his commitments over the next couple of weeks.
Larson is currently at Indianapolis Motor Speedway practicing for the 108th running of the Indy 500 and is slated to compete in the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 19. On that same day is the second day of qualifying for the Indy 500, meaning Larson will be going back and forth between Indianapolis and North Wilkesboro. Kevin Harvick will practice and qualify the No. 5 Chevrolet for the All-Star Race.
Two more Indy 500 practice sessions and qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway later, and May 26 will be upon us. On that day, Larson will attempt to become the fifth driver to pull off the Indy-Charlotte Double.
Yeah, that’s a lot. As for how Larson plans to handle the logistics of bouncing around at multiple racetracks, he said Wednesday he’s not stressing over it.
“I’m not stressed out about logistics at all,” Larson said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “I feel like we got a good plan. So yeah, I feel like I’m just, ‘Tell me where to be, tell me when to get in the car, tell me which car I’m getting in’ and we’ll go [from there].
Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, is driving the No. 17 Rick Hendrick-backed car as part of an Arrow McLaren entry in the Indy 500. It’ll be Larson’s IndyCar Series debut, something he’s very much looking forward to.
Kyle Larson receiving guidance from IndyCar Series legend ahead of Indy 500
“I’m really excited to get this experience underway and get consecutive days in the car,” Larson said. “That’s been the toughest thing so far, that I go months at a time between each time I’m in the car. I’ve got to try to learn quickly here the next few days.”
Larson is receiving guidance from 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan as he prepares for the event. Kanaan is also the sporting director at Arrow McLaren. During an Indy 500 test at the Brickyard last month, he turned the second-fastest lap behind defending winner Josef Newgarden.
Larson has earned the respect of his IndyCar Series competitors, who would hardly be surprised to see him become the first driver to win both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
“It’s not like he’s in a slow car here, and 90 percent of the Indy 500 is having a fast car, maybe more,” Graham Rahal said, via NASCAR.com. “So, I think I think he’s going to be in a great position. Obviously, we know the Hendrick cars are damn good too. But also, Kyle is supremely talented. He’ll probably even tell you I texted him maybe four or five years ago saying I’d love to see him get an opportunity to come and run the 500.
“Obviously, with [Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing] being a Honda, that was never going to be a reality for us no matter what. But he’s got all the talent in the world. It wouldn’t be a shock, particularly in the situation with McLaren, that he comes in and is very freaking good.”