Kyle Larson is anything but under-prepared for the fifth Double attempt in NASCAR’s history. The 25-time Cup race winner is well-versed in Charlotte, owning a Coca-Cola 600 victory in 2021. On the other hand, the Indy 500 prospects seemed jittery at first until Larson smashed all apprehensions. He ran 232.846 miles per hour at the qualifier, the second-fastest 4-lap qualifying speed by a rookie in 500 history.

However, Larson’s sheer talent is not the only factor driving his team owner for the Double Spectacle. Rick Hendrick harbors a more personal reason for investing in this 1100-mile project, as a senior official of Hendrick Motorsports, namely Jeff Gordon, claimed. 

Kyle Larson’s team lead aims for another souvenir

The last driver to take on the Indy Coke challenge was Kurt Busch in 2014. But the year before, a future racer was lingering in the same area, dreaming of similar prospects. 21-year-old Kyle Larson did the Double as a fan, attending both races on the same day. When Jeff Gordon, VC of Hendrick Motorsports, learned about Larson’s dream, he conveyed it to the team lead. But Rick Hendrick was not too sure initially.

In a YouTube video by Motorsports by NBC, Gordon recalled how he tried to persuade Hendrick: “A few conversations down the road [with Hendrick about Larson’s interest], I talked to him again: ‘I really think Kyle would like to do this. You’ve never been to the Indianapolis 500. You sure you don’t wanna do this?’ He started getting more and more interested the more we talked about it.”

Then Hendrick’s profound love for the Indianapolis 500’ short track racing eventually gave way. “The next thing you know, he’s agreeing to, ‘Hey, let’s pursue this thing. Let’s find out what team we could partner with.’ Obviously, it had to be a Chevrolet team.”

However, Rick Hendrick had one golden motive behind agreeing to the plan. The Hendrick Heritage Centre is home to his immaculate car collection. And the team owner wanted to add another superb car to it. Gordon explained: “Not only did he want to take this leap and compete and have Kyle drive in the Indy 500, but he wants to own the car… It doesn’t mean just owning the car for the Indy 500. It’s putting this car in your collection when the race is over.” Rick Hendrick & Co. teamed up with Arrow McLaren, and so far, things are looking good for the partnership, owing to Larson’s showing during qualifying. 

Last weekend, as Kyle Larson set the second-fastest 4-lap qualifying speed by a rookie, he qualified in P5 for this weekend’s Indy 500. Right after, he hopped on a helicopter – and, subsequently, a private jet – and made it to North Wilkesboro for the All-Star race, during which he was confident he could win. While he finished in P4, that only presented further evidence of his versatility, something Rick Hendrick pointed to himself.

As reported by Autoweek, the HMS owner said, “I think it takes a unique guy that’s driven a lot of different cars, race cars. Kyle is exceptional, and his confidence and ability – you never know, do you put one of them in there. I think his experience in every kind of car he’s been in gives him the confidence that he can do it, and he wants to do it, and it’s something he’s dreamed about.” Hendrick didn’t stop there. He showered some high praise on his driver.

“When you put the talent, desire, and all that together, I think that’s what’s driving him. And I do think he’s one of the greatest drivers I’ve ever been with.” That’s a talented pool of drivers among whom Kyle Larson stands out. And well, his team boss isn’t the only one who thinks he’s one of the greatest drivers motorsport has seen. His HMS teammate feels so, too!

While comparing himself to his teammates, Alex Bowman called himself “the village idiot.” But when it came to Larson, he only had words of praise. He said, “We have Kyle Larson: the greatest race car driver of our generation. Wins in everything he literally sits in and could win the Indy 500.” Considering the 31-year-old felt he could’ve won the All-Star race, jumping into his #5 Camaro for the first time all weekend, who knows? As much of a stretch as it may seem, he could win the Double!

That said, as for his HMS team boss, besides deliberately aiming for race souvenirs, Rick Hendrick has stumbled upon a piece by way of his work as a good Samaritan.

Hendrick owns an emotionally charged showpiece

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While Kyle Larson was clearing tests for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 last year, a remarkable incident took place. IndyCar star Will Power presented Rick Hendrick with a race-worn helmet from his 2023 Indianapolis 500. The reason was heartwarming: Hendrick arranged for top specialists in Charlotte to provide medical help to Power’s ailing wife in January.

Power expressed his gratitude: “He never stopped calling through the whole process. My wife and I will never forget. I couldn’t think of what to get him, to give Mr. Hendrick. It’s all I could think of that was close to what I should get him.”

For the HMS owner, that helmet stood out among all the treasured possessions in his car collection. “That helmet is very special to me because when I look at that helmet, I think about life,” Mr. Hendrick told NBCSports.com. “I don’t just think about the helmet. I’ll think about life.”

Thus, even though Kyle Larson’s team lead sports a personal reason for supporting him in the Indy 500, it is a noble one.