Pre-race rituals and traditions are a big part of NASCAR racing. The driver’s intros during a NASCAR race help them get the feel of the energy in the racing venue. But, just like NASCAR, the Indianapolis 500 race treats its driver with a special pre-race ceremony. Very few drivers get to experience that feeling and energy, and Kyle Larson from Hendrick Motorsports had the opportunity this year.

The HMS star became only the fifth driver to attempt the historic double. Complete the 500 miles at the Indianapolis 500 and return to the crown jewel NASCAR event at Charlotte to run the 600-mile race. Unfortunately, Larson wasn’t able to complete the 1100 miles as he was held at the Indy for his debut run, which he finished on P18. And to rub salt in his wounds, he wasn’t able to soak in the feeling of the pre-race ceremony with the weather playing a major spoilsport.

Kyle Larson wasn’t in the right frame of mind ahead of the Indy 500

Although the HMS star was living his dream moment preparing for his debut IndyCar race, it came at a cost. He had to ditch the start of the Coca-Cola 600 race after the Indy 500 green flag was delayed by four hours. Larson was caught up in his head, lamenting about missing the NASCAR race, and therefore he couldn’t even get to soak in the elaborate pre-race ceremony and events.

“My mind this year was like not really into it because I was already sad, you know that, I was going to miss the start of the 600 and all that. So I didn’t really get to like soak in the pre-race. So that was a bummer because it is so cool and it was different too because the weather would come in,” Kyle Larson said on the Stacking Pennies podcast.

Now, it’s fair to say Larson does have unfinished business left at the hallowed ground of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And the only way he can settle it is by scripting a redemption story next year. “Regardless, I mean, there’s hundreds of thousands of people there. I mean, it’s insane. You walk into intros as a team with all the mechanics and drivers and families and stuff to get together. So all that’s really cool. If I get to do it again next, we’ll enjoy it more,” Larson added.

As it turns out, Hendrick Motorsports and McLaren have announced that Kyle Larson will be featured at the Indy 500. Thus, getting a second chance to attempt the double. But, for now, his focus should be progressing to the next round of playoffs at Watkins Glen in the Cup Series.

Larson cannot afford another slip-up at Watkins Glen

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The driver of the No. 5 HMS Chevrolet was arguably the only one who gave the Penske Fords a run for their money at Atlanta. However, a nasty crash into the safer barrier saw him lose his buffer and advantage over his rivals going into the next race. Unlike the regular season, the drivers only get three races to deliver their best performance, and Larson is already playing catch-up after the first race.

15 points is the difference separating him from the cutline, but we’ve seen how one race win can flip the dynamics of this situation. Fortunately, for Larson, the next road course track is perhaps where he can conjure a strong finish or a good points day. Hendrick Motorsports has reigned supreme at the 2.45-mile road course in New York. Since 2018, an HMS driver has made his way to victory lane at Watkins Glen. William Byron is the defending winner, whereas Larson added to this streak with his back-to-back wins in 2021 and 2022.

It has to be noted that he already has snagged a road course win in 2024, which came at Sonoma Raceway. So he should be among the top contenders to compete for a win at The Glen. This certainly isn’t the time of year to run into the troubles, and Larson and his team will be well aware of this fact going into this weekend’s race.