Hendrick Motorsports has long been a dominant force in the Cup Series arena. Earlier this year, with the announcement that Kyle Larson will be participating in the Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren, the team once again proved its superiority over long-time rival Joe Gibbs Racing.

The 2021 Cup Series champ will have an opportunity to test a Dallara-Chevrolet and learn from the Arrow McLaren team as he prepares for his IndyCar debut next year. Although Larson won’t be racing this year, he’ll be making visits to the Arrow McLaren shop, just like he did recently for an important reason.

Kyle Larson takes his first steps toward his much-anticipated venture

Hendrick Motorsports has often received applause for supporting Larson‘s aspirations. On the other hand, Joe Gibbs Racing has come under fire from some quarters for its stance on dirt track racing. A few months ago, the #20 Toyota Camry driver Christopher Bell revealed some hard truths about JGR policies.

Bell, who has made it to the top level of NASCAR coming through sprint car racing, stated that he did not compete in the 2023 Chili Bowl Nationals and was unsure when he would appear again. He also claimed that Gibbs has been very vocal about not allowing him to run in dirt events.

In contrast, Larson made a visit to Arrow Mclaren’s IndyCar shop recently to get his IndyCar seat fitted for the first time. The #5 Chevy driver also shared his experience and his ambitions about his new racing adventure. His move to IndyCar came as a surprise to many fans, but it also demonstrated the ambition and versatility of one of the most talented drivers in the sport. Additionally, it reflects upon Rick Hendrick’s decision to back his driver’s new endeavor.

However, fans had a somewhat different reaction to the news, as they were left wondering about Larson’s commitments to NASCAR.

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NASCAR community foresees a crisis in Kyle Larson’s latest venture

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While many Larson fans are excited to see him excel in yet another division of motorsports, others are concerned about the risks involved. The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most prestigious races in the world. Moreover, the style of racing is poles apart from stock car racing and the speeds the cars reach can be dangerous. Fans are worried that if Larson gets into an accident, it could affect his NASCAR season and his team’s championship aspirations.

Some fans took to social media to voice their concerns. One user commented, “Honestly, DNF,” indicating that they believe Larson will not finish the race. Another wrote, “If he follows the Hendrick trend … He will hurt himself.”

Referring to Chase Elliott’s and Alex Bowman’s recent injuries which caused them to miss several races, another fan added, “Rick Hendrick must be thrilled.. especially what has to half his drivers this year.”

At the same time, other fans were more optimistic. One user stated, “If he can qualify well, he’ll do well if he can keep cleanish air. These things are so aero dependant, I’d like to think he can keep up with his in-car adjustments, but it’s a ton more to keep track of than he’s probably used to managing on his own.” The user acknowledged the significant shifts in strategy that Larson and his team will need to make to let him adapt better to IndyCar.

Regardless of their opinion, one thing is certain—Larson’s move to IndyCar will be one of the biggest stories in racing the next year.

READ MORE: “Odds Are Gonna Catch Up to Me”: Kyle Larson Candidly Makes a Nightmarish Prophecy about Himself, Days After Encountering a Life-Threatening Situation