Kyle Larson has a reputation for being a hugely versatile driver. He is well-known for not just competing in NASCAR, but other racing series as well. At the moment, he has been juggling a full-time Cup calendar and squeezing in a dirt racing calendar as well. So it didn’t come as a surprise to anyone that he entertained thoughts of competing in the Indianapolis 500. But to be frank, NASCAR and IndyCar are two different beasts altogether.

They are pretty much chalk and cheese because both series demand different driving styles. Of course, it is possible to make the transition from IndyCar to NASCAR. Tony Stewart is the best example of this, as he is an IndyCar champion and a three-time NASCAR Cup champion. However, few have made the transition from NASCAR to IndyCar. An example of this is Kurt Busch, who is the 2004 Cup Series champion, and he came in a respectable 6th sport at the 2014 Indy 500.

What is the Indianapolis 500 and why is it iconic?

The Indianapolis 500 makes up one-third of the Motorsport Triple Crown. Meanwhile, the other two races are the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Just winning one of these races is a massive achievement. So, one driver managing to win all three events is something to be lauded. The Indianapolis 500 primarily caters to IndyCar drivers, so no driver can attempt it without driving an IndyCar machine.

Currently, Helio Castroneves is the only active driver with the most Indy 500 wins. On the all-time list, he is tied with AJ Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser at 4. Interestingly enough, Tony Stewart has never won the Indy 500, though not for the lack of trying. He scored pole position in his first race in 1996 and recorded a best finish of 5th during the 1997 edition.

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Where does Kyle Larson fit into all of this?

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Competing and potentially winning the Indy 500 would be a dream come true for any American driver. So it is obvious that Larson wanted to throw his hat in the ring. He could have competed in the 2023 edition but wanted to give himself time to prepare for the event. In essence, the Hendrick Motorsports star did not want to just compete, he wanted to compete to win the iconic race.

Recently, he took part in a rookie orientation program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was just the first step towards getting him on the grid for the 2024 Indy 500. According to reports, he piloted the #6 Arrow McLaren/Hendrick Motorsports entry and completed the required three phases of the test. This test required him to run 10 laps between 205-210 mph, 15 laps at 210-215 mph, and 15 laps faster than 215 mph. His best lap was at 217.764 mph and his speed trap data was recorded at 221.187mph.

Kyle Larson cannot wait to compete in the race and gun for a win

When he spoke about the upcoming opportunity back in January, he told Hendrick Motorsports’ website, “This is something that I’ve dreamt about since I was a child before I was ever really racing sprint cars. The Indy 500 has always been the most special race to my dad. I just remember as a kid he would always say, ‘Someday if you get the opportunity, you really need to try and run the Indy 500.’ I feel like I had to be really patient with it and thankfully the patience has paid off.”

As a driver with wins in different racing disciplines, he’ll be eager to add another feather to his cap. The question is, can he triumph against seasoned drivers on the IndyCar grid? He will have plenty of strong teammates like Pato O’Ward, David Malukas, and Alexander Rossi.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver will be aiming for the 2023 Cup title

Of course, before he can dream about the 2024 Indianapolis 500, Larson has to be brought back a few months earlier. To be precise, he has to focus on the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series championship. After all, he has not been eliminated from Playoff contention and will be hoping to bag a second Cup title. Having already made his way to the championship 4, Kyle Larson will be firmly aware that he’ll have 3 other drivers to fend off, possibly including his teammate William Byron.

One thing is for sure, Kyle Larson will be itching to go racing in the IndyCar arena. The best part is that Larson is familiar with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Admittedly, he never won on the Oval but has recorded a few Top 10 finishes. So he could be in with a shout of an unexpected win, or he could trouble the regular front-runners. Then again, he may need some time to get used to being in open-wheel machinery.

Why will Larson be a favorite to win the Indy 500?

Larson will be driving for a solid team in the IndyCar Series. The Arrow-McLaren team have picked up nine wins since its debut in 2001. Admittedly, it does not have the racing caliber of the likes of Andretti, Team Penske, and others. However, they have looked very strong in recent years, with the most recent win coming at Laguna Seca earlier this year. This year, with David Malukas joining the team, as well as Larson on a one-off basis, things should be interesting.

One would try and question Larson’s commitment to NASCAR. Especially on the back of this IndyCar test and his various non-NASCAR activities. However, given the number of wins he has this season, and the fact that he just recently won at Las Vegas, should quiet his critics. This win secured his berth in the 2023 Championship 4, making him the first one to reach it among his rivals.

So when the Cup Series paddock heads to the next two races, he is under no pressure. Over here, he can either sit pretty or help his teammate William Byron reach the Championship 4. This would give Hendrick Motorsports a 50% chance of having a championship delivered to their doorstep.

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