The Indy500 is one of the most coveted races in the motorsports world. Arguably the largest single-day sporting event on the planet, the race is a lucrative option for drivers from other divisions. Fondly known as Indy, a short name for Indianapolis, the race attracts a majority of NASCAR fans, drivers, insiders, and experts as well.

A select few NASCAR legends including Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch have run the Indy500, with varying degrees of success. The Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner even holds the rare distinction of being the only one to win an Indy and a NASCAR Cup Series championship. And now HMS ace Kyle Larson is all set to prove his mettle in the open-wheel competition next year.

Recently, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin has also shared his thoughts about the prestigious event. Addressing the speculations about him racing in an Indy car in the near future, he also revealed his respect and love for the event.

Hamlin talks about fitting into an Indy500 race

Racing in an Indy car is quite a different experience from driving in NASCAR. Not only the vehicle dynamics but the response to the tracks and racing style; everything is a tad unique. Hamlin gives us some insights into what it feels to him.

Talking to co-host Jarred Allen on the Actions Detrimental podcast, he talked about Indy’s difficulties while paying his respects to athletes in various sports worldwide. He said,

“I probably wouldn’t. I am smart enough to appreciate the skill level of any professional in their profession. It doesn’t matter whether you’re s golfer or a basketball player or a race car driver. I respect that that is what you grew up doing. I respect that you’re an elite talent in that profession because you spent your life doing it and you’ve got to this level because you’re very very good. “

He further added how the approach to racing in NASCAR and Indy differ from each other. Speaking on how the Indy style of racing is a mismatch for him, he said

“And I would probably go to Indy and look silly. So again, I think the type of races that they have at the Indy500 fits kind of the drafting and strategy type racing.”

Hamlin raises some good points on the gradual transition from NASCAR to Indy racing. But his fans would definitely love to see him try his hand at it. During the podcast, he further talked about his admiration for 2010 USF Pro 2000 champion Conor Daly.

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He kicks a**: Hamlin is all praise for Conor Daly

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Conor Daly was born for speed. Son to the former F1 racer Derek Daly and stepson of Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles, it was only befitting him to engage in racing at the highest level. He has not limited himself to Indy racing either, having made debuts in NASCAR in the Xfinity as well as the Cup Series.

Expressing his respect for Daly, Denny said “But the INDY500, I love watching it. I do. Conor, he kicks a** in that race. And first of all, I just wanna go to the Indy500 to be a guest of his. So I’m requesting that from him because he is the Mayor of Indy. We may or may not have hung out a few bars at Indy and the guy will have a statue outside the capital one day.”

Taking a quick look at the NASCAR drivers that made their way into Indy500, Hamlin added, “He’s awesome! Great dude, but I just don’t have the urge to run the Indy500, you know, like Kyle Larson or Busch or anything. I just respect what they do. And I, just the speed … I’m okay with the speed. It’s just that it would take a lot of practice for me to get good at it. And I don’t wanna ever compete and I don’t think that I can win.”

Getting to see more NASCAR drivers in Indy would be a great sight for the fans. Seeing the drivers get involved in different forms of racing and expand the spectrum and elite company of drivers to have done it all is something to look forward to.

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