Kyle Larson is a phenomenon in motorsports. A NASCAR titan whose recent Kansas triumph—where he led 221 of 267 laps, a staggering 82.7% of the race, setting a track record for the most laps led at Kansas—has left the racing world in awe. Yet, beneath the thunder of engines and the hype surrounding his bold attempt to conquer the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in one weekend, Larson’s journey to Indianapolis is one of raw ambition and relentless drive.

Last year, he tackled the grueling ‘Double’ for the first time, but bad weather stopped him from even running a lap at Charlotte. However, he didn’t just show up at Indianapolis; he shone, earning praise for mastering an IndyCar, a machine worlds apart from his NASCAR stock car and winning the Rookie of the Year award at the race. But 2024 wasn’t perfect. Now, in 2025, he’s back, chasing a dream that feels tantalizingly close yet dauntingly far. #5 driver has quietly shared a truth—a single factor that could keep him from carving his name among the legends at the Brickyard.

Kyle Larson is seeing a few cracks already

The stakes couldn’t be higher. A recent crash during Indy testing sparked concern. “Kyle Larson didn’t have the greatest test there a couple of weeks ago. He wrecked his car,” Bob Pockrass reported. The HMS driver’s recent NASCAR triumphs, including his dominant victories at Kansas and Bristol victory, have set expectations soaring. But Indy is a different monster. The open-wheel cars, the hallowed Brickyard, and the relentless speed demand nothing short of perfection. Larson knows this, and he’s not backing down from the fight.

In a heartfelt conversation with NASCAR icon Kevin Harvick on the Happy Hour podcast, #5 Chevrolet driver opened up about what’s changed this time around. “Yeah, last year I thought everything went well. I thought we had a good car balance. I thought Hendrick Motorsports and everybody involved there handled the logistics very well,” he said. Then came the revelation that hit like a quiet bombshell: “For me, behind the wheel, I didn’t feel quite as comfortable at the open test a couple of weeks ago as I did in May of last year. So I’m hopeful that our balance is in a better spot to start these couple of weeks.” That missing comfort, that elusive confidence in the car’s balance, is the one thing standing between Larson and Indy immortality.

The 2021 Cup Series Champion added, “If not, then, yeah, I think you’re going to be searching to try and get that comfortable balance to where you can just have confidence, really. And if we do get to that point, then I think, you know, last year I felt like I could have stood a freer balance to help myself in the race.” Harvick felt the weight of Larson’s words. “Well, good. Well, we’re all intrigued in how it’s going to go,” he responded. The #5 driver’s schedule is packed, but his focus is laser-like, zeroed in on conquering his doubts.

Indy is unforgiving, and Larson knows the road ahead is treacherous. His crowded schedule, with NASCAR races, could stretch him thin. But McLaren’s Tony Kanaan, Larson’s IndyCar team’s principal, is confident and hopes that he will not have to step in as a replacement driver if situations go wrong. “I honestly think it’s not a comeback. So I’m not taking it that way on race day. I truly hope that this is a 0% possibility [to race] to be honest.” Kanaan said.

The motorsports world is cheering him on. Kyle Larson looks to mark his place among Indy’s elite, with his Kansas win proving he’s hitting his stride at the perfect moment. “Yeah, it’s going to be a fun two weeks,” the HMS driver told brimming with excitement and determination, “I look forward to working together with the team, Arrow McLaren, and learning the car more, trying to narrow in on our balance, and just trying to have a smooth couple weeks like we had last year, and execute like you would in any race and try to be in the hunt at the end.”

Larson isn’t just chasing a victory; he’s chasing a legacy. The Indy 500 is a hallowed race, and pairing it with the Coca-Cola 600 could cement him as a legend, and only the second person to ever complete both races since Tony Stewart in 2001. But as he confided to Harvick, it all hinges on confidence in his car’s balance. If he can find that trust, the Brickyard could be his. If not, Indy will remain a dream just beyond his grasp. As fans, we’re glued to the edge of our seats, rooting for a man daring to chase what few have ever achieved.

Trending

1

NASCAR Rumor: Fans Drooling As Richard Petty’s Partner (Almost) Confirms American Manufacturer’s Return

2

Former HMS Star Breaks Silence On Disheartening NASCAR Cup Series Exit With Startling Claim

3

FOX Broadcaster Gets Teary Eyed, Publicly Disclosing Emotional Moment as Call Mounts Against Jamie Little

4

Rick Hendrick’s NASCAR Driver Labeled a “Little B—-” as Fans Surprisingly Attack Unsuspecting Cup Series Star

5

Denny Hamlin Makes Feelings Clear on His Baby Boy’s Racing Future

Ryan Blaney is backing his team over Kyle Larson for the Indy 500

A tug-of-war between Ryan Blaney’s Team Penske pride and Kyle Larson ahead of the Indy 500. Their rivalry’s no joke, and it’s been electric lately. At Kansas, #12 driver pulled off a jaw-dropping last-stage surge that nearly snatched victory from Larson. “I think five more laps, I think I probably would have scared the #5 [Larson] a little bit at least,” the Penske driver said.

Blaney, a lifelong Penske guy, is all-in for his team’s drivers—Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and Will Power. “I root for him (Larson) to run fourth after, you know, Josef, Scotty, and Will. But yeah, I tune in all I can to that stuff in general because I like IndyCar racing and watching it. Obviously, I root for a lot of guys in that thing, and yeah, watching his process of how he did it,” he said, carrying that unshakable loyalty via Peter Stratta on YouTube. The #12 driver’s love for Penske runs deep, but he can’t hide his respect for Larson’s raw talent. “I thought it was really cool last year, to keep up with it, and he did a really good job there last year until he sped on pit road,” the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champ said

The HMS driver’s versatility—jumping from NASCAR to IndyCar—makes him a wildcard, and Blaney knows it. The Indy 500’s gonna be a rollercoaster of emotions. Blaney’s heart might be with Penske, but Larson’s got a shot to steal the show. What do you think? Let us know in the comments!