Kyle Larson Enters IndyCar’s ‘Veteran’ Class With Narrow Loss to 2x Indy500 Champ

Only a handful of NASCAR Cup drivers have ventured out of their comfort zone into other racing series. Kyle Larson proudly stands among them, as the 2021 Cup champion juggles his time between Cup weekends and dirt track weekdays. Now he is all set for a new adventure in the IndyCar racing series. 

Preparing for the jaw-dropping ‘Double’ stunt in May, a few tests were scheduled this week. And the Las Vegas winner wowed people with his versatility. He edged dangerously close to an IndyCar veteran, despite it being only his third on-track session.

Kyle Larson reigns supreme in speed

Larson is set to go for ‘The Double’ both in 2024 and 2025, having inked a deal with Arrow McLaren with support from Hendrick Motorsports. And he is well worthy of the feat only attempted by five other drivers in the past. In his first taste of an IndyCar in October last year, Larson logged 217.898 mph in the IMS rookie orientation program.

His second outing was in February, when he tested his car on the mile-long oval in Phoenix. By his third outing, Kyle Larson has proven that he is a fast learner. He appeared for the first time in traffic, racing alongside IndyCar veterans like Scott Dixon, Alex Palou, and Josef Newgarden. And Larson jumped up the high-speed charts with ease.

Before the testing started today, Bob Pockrass referred to Larson’s ‘veteran’ status. “Indy 500 testing is today and tomorrow. Larson is considered a “veteran” driver since he already completed the rookie orientation program so he would be in the veteran group. They are hoping to about to get started. Stream is on Peacock.”

And Kyle Larson cemented his veteran status comfortably. He settled with second place among the fastest drivers on the first day of testing. An expert tweeted: “Take a picture, Kyle Larson 2nd fastest in Indy 500 testing”. In terms of speed, Kyle Larson ranked lower than only Josef Newgarden, who is a two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion besides being the winningest driver in the series.

Journalist Jenna Fryer also tweeted: “Kyle Larson is on track the next two days at #Indy500, with coverage on Peacock. He just sent the second fastest lap in the morning veteran warmup.” The evidence is clear that Kyle Larson is going to turn some heads in the 108th running of the 500-mile event on May 26.

An amazing spotter is going to help Larson fire his engines to incredible speeds in May.

Larson’s spotter is pumped for an exhaustive outing

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Kyle Larson’s fortunes are seemingly bright for the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but his ordeal will not end there. On Memorial Day, he will fly to Charlotte after his IndyCar outing to compete in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 race. Tyler Monn, Larson’s spotter for the past four Cup seasons, will accompany the Hendrick driver in the 1100 miles of racing.

Monn expressed his enthusiasm about this nerve-racking endeavor. “I’ve never been more excited to do something. It’s a great opportunity.’ The Indy 500 is the most attended single-day sporting event in the world. Monn further said: “I’m sure I’ll be worn out after the 600, but it’s a chance to do something not many people have done.”

As Kyle Larson proves his mettle going into the IndyCar races for the first time, we are pumped to watch him perform in ‘The Double’.

Read More: Kyle Larson’s Son Owen Pens Heartwarming Feelings on Dad’s Dominant Las Vegas Victory