“The hybrid is, I feel like, hyped up as being this crazy new thing. But it’s really not a big deal, either.” Kyle Larson’s words may have reflected an astronomical amount of confidence. IndyCar introduced its new hybrid drivetrain in July 2024 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. However, drivers faced the difficulties of using it at Indianapolis for the first time, and as it turned out, Kyle Larson was one of the drivers to fall prey to issues. The Hendrick Motorsports star did not yield to doubts when he crashed his No. 17 twice, during the April Open Test and in practice. Yet all of that confidence came apart when he could not adapt to IndyCar’s new system, which Denny Hamlin denounced.

Two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden knew what the problem was. “The big reason it’s driving differently is not necessarily the hybrid interacting with the car. It is the weight of the hybrid.” The new battery system may allow drivers to use stored energy to give their cars a boost, but the problem lies in the added mass.

According to Newgarden, it saturates the tires more and makes the vehicle move around. This significant loss of control in maneuvering the IndyCar may have dashed Kyle Larson’s ‘Double’ aspirations. Despite running well initially, Larson tried to duck to the left while trailing Takuma Sato and ended up spinning on lap 92 of the 2025 Indy 500.

When Denny Hamlin broached his Cup Series rival’s IndyCar misfortune, he agreed with Josef Newgarden. In a recent episode of ‘Actions Detrimental’, Hamlin wondered why Kyle Larson crashed in the first place. He said, “It’s just such an odd wreck because it (didn’t) appear that they weren’t up to speed. If you look at how fast he was going when he crashed, it was…I’m going to estimate a 160? …I guess he just hit a weird pocket of air there or something, and that thing just swapped ends.” Then his mind lingered around the heavy hybrid engine: “I was wondering, the instability that came from that new hybrid. They had to race with that too, right, the extra weight in the back? Is that what made things so sketchy?”

Hamlin wouldn’t be wrong. Back in 2024, when the hybrid system was announced, there was a lot of concern from drivers. “I don’t think the hybrid really changed anything. It’s really hard to pass with the weight of these cars; same for everyone,” Arrow McLaren driver Alexander Rossi had said. Why? Well, the hybrid unit brought 100 pounds of additional weight. When it comes to the airflow of the car, such a massive change will have an effect, especially for someone like Larson who doesn’t usually drive an IndyCar.

Moreover, Kyle Larson was not the only Indy 500 participant to fall prey to issues. Before the race even began, Scott McLaughlin wrecked his No. 3 Chevrolet during the pace laps. Scott Dixon’s car began to smoke with a small fire emerging from the left rear. Although it sorted itself out, his Chip Ganassi team had to change the brakes, which put Dixon three laps down. On the first flying lap, the field didn’t even make it through Turn 1 when Marco Andretti crashed into the wall, ending his 20th Indy 500 start.

With all these veteran drivers losing control, Denny Hamlin understood Larson’s dilemma. In fact, other NASCAR veterans also consoled him due to his continued misery in Charlotte.

No dearth of pity for the star

After all, Kyle Larson faced back-to-back botched Double attempts. In 2024, Kyle Larson resisted a four-hour rain delay and finished 18th in the Indy 500. But then he could not even start the Coca-Cola 600, which never resumed after a mid-race weather pause. This year, Larson hoped to at least satisfy himself after IndyCar’s hybrid engine fallout.

Starting from the second spot, Larson led for 34 laps until spinning on lap 43. A damaged toe link led to multiple pit stops for the No. 5 Chevrolet. Then Chase Briscoe and Daniel Suarez set off a massive wreck on lap 245, and Larson got collected in it. That was the final nail in the coffin of an already crumbling ‘Double’ day.

Ross Chastain won the Coke 600 race, dramatically toppling William Byron’s lead with 5 laps left. However, his team owner, Justin Marks, could not help but sigh. The Trackhouse Racing chief felt sorry for Kyle Larson’s fate: “My heart breaks for Kyle.” Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman, had high expectations for Larson in Charlotte. After all, the four-time Cup Series champion’s first race victory had come back in 1993 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, when Larson crashed out of the Coca-Cola 600 race, Gordon just let out a helpless comment. He said, “Wasn’t meant to be. It was a rough day.”

Evidently, veterans of the sport, from Denny Hamlin to Justin Marks, felt for Kyle Larson’s miserable day. Hopefully, the HMS star can move on and go back to being great again.