Hendrick Motorsports Reveals Record-Setting Feat Is “Finally Underway” as Kyle Larson Prepares to Put His Name in History Books

Kyle Larson has made headlines, not only for his dominance on the NASCAR ovals but also for his dirt track prowess. Now, he’s gearing up for a new challenge: open-wheel racing. The 31-year-old is all set to etch his name into the history books as the ambitious “Hendrick 1100” project is underway. The rookie orientation marked the first step towards realizing his dream of competing in the coveted 2024 Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 doubleheader—a grueling feat given Coca-Cola’s status as NASCAR’s longest race.

With the double-header spanning a staggering 1,100-mile distance, the 2021 champ aims to achieve a milestone last seen in 2014, a feat accomplished by the likes of Kurt Busch and just four others, including Hendrick Motorsports’ current VP Jeff Gordon.

HMS Ace’s lightning lap: IndyCar dreams on the fast track

Picture the iconic 2.5-mile oval at Indianapolis as the stage for Larson’s grand entrance into the world of IndyCar racing. With the Arrow McLaren/Hendrick Motorsports entry, he’s ready to chart new territory. The rookie orientation program was his first pit stop on the road to conquering the Crown Jewel races next year. The revelation of this audacious adventure back in August was a splash of vivid orange and blue, as alongside team owner Rick Hendrick, the striking livery, a fusion of McLaren and Hendrick colors, was unveiled.

In yesterday’s program, Kyle Larson took the No. 6 Arrow McLaren through its paces in three distinct phases, completing around 40 laps on the iconic oval. His final session saw him clock an impressive top speed of 217.898 mph, with the speed traps on both straightaways recording a blazing 221.187 mph.

Reflecting on the experience, the 31-year-old remarked, “Building up to that speed and pace and confidence was nice to do in ROP, but yeah, just getting to feel what an Indy car feels like, being low to the ground, feeling the acceleration through the gears was pretty crazy.”

In Kyle Larson’s own words, “All of that was eye-opening and an experience that I know for sure I’ll never forget.” He described the thrill of being low to the ground, the pulse of acceleration, and the unknown challenges of “dirty air” in open-wheel racing.

Watch This Story: NASCAR Hall of Famer Believes Kyle Larson Will Be Run Over If He Continues on This Path

And who better to witness this debut run than four-time champion Jeff Gordon? The legendary racer-turned-observer confessed, “I could tell he was a little bit nervous. Heck, my palms were sweating before he got out on track myself, but then immediately you just see it click when he made those first few laps, and he just went into Kyle Larson mode of, ‘All right, now how do I get up to speed and go fast?’ … He doesn’t want to just come here and compete. He wants to come here and compete competitively.”

Kyle Larson earns the ultimate nod from racing legend Roger Penske

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If Kyle Larson needed an extra shot of confidence, he got it in a big way with Indy track owner and Team Penske maestro, Roger Penske, bestowing upon him the nickname “Ironman.” Penske’s words of praise resonated loudly, affirming Larson’s extraordinary talent and dedication. Penska shared that having Kyle Larson and Rick Hendrick on board is “a super advantage for us as a track owner and the series.”

He continued, emphasizing the anticipation of fans in Indianapolis, stating, “To see Kyle, what he has been able to do in every other type of race car will be a real journey. To see Kyle, what he has been able to do in every other type of race car will be a real journey for all of the fans here in Indianapolis.” “It just shows what kind of guy he is. This guy is an ‘Ironman’ you could say.”

Read more: Kyle Larson Announces His INDY500 Test Schedule

With quite a long way to go before the doubleheader weekend rolls around, hold on tight to see what powers Kyle Larson can unleash on the asphalt.