Does Kyle Larson Feel He Has an Advantage Over Tony Stewart While Hoping to Surpass His NASCAR-Indy 500 Feat?

Not every driver gets a chance to experience the best of both worlds. Maybe that’s because not all have the ability to achieve the feat. In the history of NASCAR, Tony Stewart is the only driver to win a championship title in both IndyCar and NASCAR series. And now, there is a possibility that the 2021 Cup Series winner Kyle Larson might repeat Stewart’s feat. After all, being a NASCAR champion, he is already halfway there.

Earlier in January 2023, Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson announced his plans for the 2024 Indianapolis 500. In a partnership between Rick Hendrick and McLaren Racing, Larson will be making his IndyCar 500 debut with what is known to be ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’

However, the Indy 500 isn’t that easy. Although Stewart won the IndyCar championship title, he has never won the Indy 500. And now, everyone is eager to know if Larson has the ability to surpass Tony at the Indy 500.

In his recent conversation during The Race IndyCar Podcast, Larson was asked if he has any sort of advantage running the Indy 500 since he has already won Coca-Cola 600. Moreover, the host asked if he has an edge over his predecessors like Tony Stewart who tried their hand at the two races. To this, Larson replied,

“Um, I don’t know. I don’t know. It’s just that both events are really tough. So, Nah, I don’t think it gives me any advantage at all. But really, I mean your car is just driving really good, you gotta just execute in both races.”

“If I Could Race in Formula 1…”: Kyle Larson Reveals His True Dream Days After Zak Brown’s Indy500 Announcement

Kyle Larson explains why winning the Coca-Cola 600 might not help much

Larson is an amazing driver who knows his way around a car. Moreover, with the kind of different racing formats Larson has dabbled in, it is clear that the Hendrick Motorsports driver isn’t afraid of trying something new.

However, he feels that his previous wins, including Coca-Cola 600, might not have much to do with his preparations for the Indy 500. Explaining how the experience of driving in the two races would not be the same, Larson said,

“Y’know, I think execution is more important at the Indy 500 because the race is a little bit shorter and things just happen a lot quicker. I think it’s just much difficult to overcome a hiccup. Where in the 600 you know, you got a lot of time to make a mistake and get back there and not take yourself out of the race.”

WATCH THIS STORY: “I’ll Be There”- Kyle Larson Looks Forward to Pre-NASCAR Season Duel Against Hendrick Motorsports Rival Chase Elliott

However, this doesn’t mean that Larson isn’t hopeful for his Indy debut. According to him, if he gave his best and executed well at the Indy 500, he might hopefully get the best average finish than anybody who has ever tried their hand at the double.