“I Was Like, OK”—Kyle Larson Opens Up on Surprising Reaction From Hendrick Motorsports Boss Regarding His Indy 500 Dreams

Hendrick Motorsports hasn’t always been enthusiastic about its drivers venturing into other racing classes out of the team’s jurisdictions. However, after the announcement of Kyle Larson‘s IndyCar run, it seems that Hendrick has made an exception. Recently, an interview surfaced during which the 2021 Cup Series champion revealed how he was pleasantly surprised by Rick Hendrick’s reactions when he proposed he should be allowed to run in the Indy500.

During the interview, Larson stated, “I don’t think there was as much convincing that had to go into it as I thought there might be for Rick. I remember us talking around Christmastime in 2021. I remember Rick called, and I said, ‘I really want to do the Indy 500 someday.’ He said, ‘OK, let’s do it then.’ I was like, OK. That was simpler than I thought it might be.”

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For Larson, this opportunity would be a dream come true. Meanwhile, for Rick Hendrick, this would open up new avenues which his team could explore in the future.

Kyle Larson has been good across classes in racing

It is possible that Hendrick looked favorably at Larson’s request due to the fact that Larson has been a spectacular and versatile driver. Aside from being at the top of his class in the Cup Series, Larson also has experience driving on dirt tracks. Moreover, it is well known that Larson loves racing in midgets and late models, mostly midweek or post-season.

In his short while at Hendrick Motorsports, he has proven that he has what it takes to be a champion. It’s no easy feat to win the championship in your first year with a new team, but Larson did exactly that. Back in 2021, he was brought back to NASCAR by HMS after an ugly controversy saw him getting fired by Chip Ganassi Racing. It did not take him long to prove his mettle and show Rick that he had made the right call in signing up Larson.

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It is confirmed that Larson will be racing with the Arrow McLaren team at the Indy500. We also know that his car will carry the Hendrickcars.com sponsorship logo on it. Now all that is left to see is what Larson brings to the table when it comes to open-wheel racing. While he has been confident in multiple classes of racing, an open-wheeler would be a fresh challenge for him. His fans will eagerly wait for the 2024 season to see how he fares at the Indy 500.