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USA Today via Reuters
May 14, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arrow McLaren/Rick Hendrick driver Kyle Larson (17) watches the rain fall Tuesday, May 14, 2024, during the first day of practice ahead of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-05-14T182650Z_1035755970_MT1USATODAY23271243_RTRMADP_3_INDYCAR-108TH-RUNNING-OF-INDIANAPOLIS-500-PRACTICE.jpg?width=600)
USA Today via Reuters
May 14, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arrow McLaren/Rick Hendrick driver Kyle Larson (17) watches the rain fall Tuesday, May 14, 2024, during the first day of practice ahead of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Larson is making his Indy 500 debut very soon, and this weekend he is qualifying for the event. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion is representing Arrow McLaren, in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports. Safe to say, Larson has been taking to the race like a duck to water. Qualifying for one of the most iconic races in America is underway, and Larson definitely made it through.
In the post-session press conference, he and Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden were called in together. According to a camera shot that has been doing the rounds on social media, their emotions contrasted. Kyle Larson looked pretty exhilarated, but Newgarden looked unusually grumpy. Naturally, many fans were quick to pick up the opposing emotions and commented on the situation.
How did NASCAR and IndyCar fans react?
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Some fans questioned the interesting choice of image used to depict both drivers in the press conference. Others found the situation funny, with responses like, “That’s hilarious! One is obviously annoyed”. Few responses read, “Kyle just happy to be here win or lose lmao” and “One looks happy to be there; one does not!”.
2024 Penske NASCAR experience on the left
vs
2024 Hendrick NASCAR experience on the right— Alex Herman (@alex_herman77) May 17, 2024
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The image also brought out the sarcastic side of some fans. This was largely due to tweets that read, “Josef looks THRILLED lol”. Though some wondered why the 2-time IndyCar champion looked annoyed. A fan tweeted, “why does Josef look so sullen”, and another made an interesting comparison, saying, “Josef looks like Drago from from rocky”.
Larson’s reaction was also interesting to many because he did not make it to pole position in the qualifying session.
How has Kyle Larson performed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
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In the regular qualifying session, Will Power drew first blood by topping the session. Meanwhile, Kyle Larson did enough to make it into the Top 12 that would fight for pole position. Also joining them are Scott McLaughlin, Newgarden, Alexander Rossi and Kyle Kirkwood, rounding out the Top 5.
Larson found himself in sixth, with Felix Rosenqvist, Santino Ferrucci and Takuma Sato. Finally, Pato O’Ward, Rinus VeeKay and Ryan Hunter-Reay completed the Top 12. All 12 drivers will have a chance to fight for pole position, and the bottom six will be eliminated. Finally, there is the Top 6 shootout that will determine all the qualifying positions for the Indianapolis 500.