It Will Change Your Life Forever”: Mario Andretti Hopes Kyle Larson Recreates Nephew’s Iconic ‘Double’ Attempt

It seems Kyle Larson has found a new supporter in the form of Mario Andretti! The driver, whose name is synonymous with motor racing excellence, was notably one of the three drivers to have achieved the feat of winning a race in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sports Car Championship, and NASCAR. On the other hand, his nephew, John Andretti, became the first driver to take on the doubleheader in a single day. The most remarkable part of this feat was that he never went a lap down! By pulling this amazing feat in 1994, he carved a name for himself in the history books of motorsports. But now it’s time to wind our clocks to 2024. Kyle Larson, who is the proven racing prodigy of our times, is all set to follow suit. He’s ready to take on the hard challenge, excelling in an 1100-mile test of endurance and skill in a single day. However, Mario Andretti is confident that if there’s someone who can pull it off, it’s definitely the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver.

Mario Andretti’s Words of Wisdom

84-year-old racer Mario Andretti has seen a lot of talented folks in his lifetime, so evidently it doesn’t take much time for him to identify a gem when he sees one. And that’s exactly what he indicated when he talked about Kyle Larson’s upcoming challenge.

The veteran made one thing clear in his recent

heartfelt message to Larson. Sharing how winning the Indy 500 would change his life once and for all, the icon shared, “So, a little birdie told me that there is quite a rookie competing in this year’s Indy 500. Apparently, some are even comparing him to me. You know, I happen to know a thing or two about winning. But, from what I hear, he’s pretty good at that, too. Back in the day, I drove just about everything the world of motorsports had to offer. But driving an IndyCar at Indianapolis, that was something special. The sights, the sound, pure history, and pure speed. It is truly a spectacle. And if you win, it will change your life forever”.

Mario’s words carry special weight because the veteran knows how hard it is to win the Indy 500, a feat he achieved way back in 1969. He further strengthened the case for Kyle Larson by comparing him with his legendary nephew, John Andretti. “

There’s only been a handful of guys to complete both races. My nephew John is the first. It’s a lot of driving for one day, but I’ve seen what you can do, and I know you’ll be just fine. Kyle, I wish you the best of luck on your quest for 1100 miles,” he said.

Kyle Larson is preparing with such an intensity for the iconic Double, that it is a no-brainer to understand why veterans are rooting for him. Just this Sunday, he managed to secure a top speed of 232.788 in F12 at Indianapolis, cementing his position in F6.

Just like Mario Andretti, Kyle Larson has an innate gift of adapting to different forms of racing. His performance in the Indianapolis 500 is a proof of this gifted ability. With the race day on the horizon, the stakes are at an all-time high. The outcome of this race is still as unpredictable as it was at the beginning despite of what we see and hear.

The Challenge ahead for Kyle Larson

The NASCAR world is watching with a bated breath, as Larson tries to pull off a historic feat. The challenges involved are immense. But Larson and the HMS crew have shown time and again that no challenge is too big for them.

An example is the recent logistical challenge in getting Larson to Wilkesboro in time for the All-Star race. It was a race against time and there was hardly any margin for error. But they did it. This shows their organizational prowess off the field as well. This is what Hendrick Motorsports’ Vice President of Competition, Chad Knaus, had to say: “Our chips are all-in on getting Kyle Larson here. We’ve got a meticulous plan with aviation, security, & a lot of things put in place. It’s amazing to me what we’re able to do. Kyle’s window is now tighter, but he’s confident he’ll make the All-Star Race.”

Everything needs to be meticulously executed, on and off the track if Larson has to win the Double. From the driver’s point of view, Larson has to capitalize on the momentum he has built. From HMS’s standpoint, the timing of pit stops has to be precise so that Larson can capitalize on every second gained. If Larson completes both races successfully, his name will be counted in the league of veterans. If not, it will be an “I told you so” moment for the critics. As far as Larson is concerned, it might shake him to his bones to have come across so far only to go empty-handed. But irrespective of the race outcome, Larson’s attempt and the way everything has come across so far is truly commendable.