The rivalry between Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske has been at the forefront of the Cup Series for decades. From Jimmie Johnson dominating the 2000s to Team Penske winning the last three Next-Gen championships, the competition is fierce. However, outside of NASCAR, Team Penske has a stronghold on the IndyCar Series, but Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson is putting his bid in as the next versatile superstar.

IndyCars are a different beast—sleek, low-slung, and demanding a surgical precision that stock cars don’t. Kyle Larson knows the IndyCar world intimately. He’s tasted the adrenaline of the Indy 500, felt the way the Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval seems to shrink when you’re pushing 230 mph. The walls loom closer, and the stakes feel higher. In this crucible of speed, an unexpected moment of brotherhood unfolded.

Larson, NASCAR’s fearless trailblazer, stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Joey Logano, a Team Penske titan. Larson, the 2021 Champion, and Logano, a three-time champion, hold nerves of steel and are no strangers to high-pressure moments. However, Yung Money has danced with the dangers of IndyCar racing himself, and didn’t hesitate to share the kind of wisdom that could make or break the Team Penske NASCAR champion’s run. This isn’t just about competition; it’s about one driver reaching out to another.

Kyle Larson draws a comparison between a stock car and an IndyCar

In an interview during a practice session at Indianapolis, Larson was asked about the advice he would give Logano if the latter ever stepped foot in an IndyCar. With a playful jab, #5 driver broke the tension: “Well, he’s [Logano] in a Penske car, so he’s got that easy.” The quip draws a laugh, as Team Penske, racing since 1966, is the most successful team in IndyCar history with 244 wins, 17 championships, and 305 poles. Founded by Roger Penske, the team made its Indy 500 debut in 1969, securing a record 20 wins, more than any other team. But Larson’s quick to get down to business. He knows Logano’s about to face a sensory overload.

IndyCars feel planted, almost glued to the track, thanks to their aerodynamic grip, but that stability masks a blistering pace that can catch even seasoned drivers off guard. It’s the kind of insight only experience can provide, and Larson’s giving it freely. “Just hold it flat! It’s nothing too crazy. When I came back here for the Brickyard [400], the sensation felt you know as fast or faster than in the IndyCar here, just because the Cup car, you’re sliding around a little bit more. You got less kind of to lean on, so I think the IndyCar, when you look at the wall, you feel like you’re hauling a–. But, you know, before that, you’re pretty stuck.” But Yung Money knows it’s still not a completely different world from their comfort home.

“But then, traffic, it’s all similar. It’s just, like, more magnified. Like, the dirty air is just more magnified. The effect of it is similar.” Joey Logan then asked Larsin about the drafting strategies at Indy and how Larson approaches it. Logano asked, “You look at these guys in their draft, and they’re able to, from four or five car lengths back, get these huge runs. Are you working on the timing?” he explains. Timing those passes is an art, and HMS driver’s been brutally honest about his own struggles: “I try to build that run, and I have to bail out of the throttle, so then all that momentum you’re trying to build is stalled out.” Logano’s getting the unfiltered truth, not just polished pointers.

The #22 driver’s own perspective adds depth to this moment. He’s been candid about his reservations regarding an IndyCar run. “I don’t know if I’m talented [enough],” he confessed, a rare moment of self-doubt from a driver known for his confidence. He’s in awe of Larson’s attempt at “The Double”—racing the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in a single day, a feat that demands superhuman stamina and skill, saying, “Larson’s a freak, he can do a lot of stuff. For me, it’s a little different. I feel like I’ve really got to focus.” Logano has got deep respect for Team Penske owner Roger Penske’s Indy 500 legacy, but he’s made it clear his heart lies with NASCAR.

This exchange also shines a light on Kyle Larson’s character. Backed by Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports, he’s got every reason to keep his insights close to the chest. The Indy 500 is a brutal proving ground, and every edge counts. But Larson chooses a different path. He’s been open about his own Indy 500 challenges, like handling traffic and optimizing car setup, and now he’s sharing that hard-won knowledge with a rival. Yung Money’s willingness to help a Penske driver stands out.

At its core, this moment is about more than lap times or checkered flags—it’s about respect and camaraderie. Kyle Larson’s advice to Logano—hold the throttle flat, master the draft, and don’t let the walls psych you out—is a lifeline, a way to ease the nerves of a champion stepping into uncharted territory if he ever wishes to.

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Tony Kanaan is ready for the challenge as Larson’s backup driver

Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 winner, faced a rain-delayed NTT IndyCar Series refresher course on Tuesday, a formality to back up Kyle Larson for “the double”—racing the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on May 25. As Arrow McLaren’s Team Principal, Kanaan admitted, “I’m just looking to get this out of the way,” to FOX Sports’ Kevin Lee. His focus is coaching Larson in the No. 17 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet, not driving. “It takes a different head space,” he said.

Kanaan’s crankiness showed at home. His wife, Lauren, teased, “The race-car driver’s back,” after a snappy reply to his “Good morning, Honey.” Retired since 2023, Kanaan sighed, “I have a lot of work to do outside the car,” hoping “Mother Nature will allow Kyle to start this race.” His new role suits him: “My job now is to give [my drivers] a great car,” he said. “I have four chances now instead of just myself.”

Reflecting on Larson’s versatility, Kanaan had shared his own regrets in the past on the Dale Jr. Download podcast. Kanaan feels he missed out by sticking to IndyCar. “I would have done things different,” he said, wishing he’d raced more types of cars. “A driving skill is a driving skill.” He noted NASCAR drivers adapt better to IndyCar’s grip than IndyCar drivers do to NASCAR’s sliding. Watching Larson ace his rookie test, Kanaan’s ready to lead—or drive—with a wiser perspective.

How do you think Larson’s 2025 ‘Double’ attempt will go? Let us know in the comments!