Here's how Kyle Larson's dream to race Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on same day became real
A new partnership has developed between Hendrick Motorsports from the NASCAR side and Arrow McClaren from the open-wheel ranks of IndyCar racing. They’ve joined forces to put together 1,100 miles of racing that involves the Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 600 miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2024.
Principals in the program are Rick Hendrick, chairman of Hendrick Motorsport; Gavin Ward, Racing Director at Arrow McLaren-INDYCAR; and Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
The initial plan to put Larson in an IndyCar as well as a stock car for double duty came from Arrow McClaren and was presented to HMS for review.
It’s not a new concept. Pulling off such an undertaking has been attempted in the past by drivers John Andretti, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch, respectively, in 1994, 1999, 2001 and 2014. Stewart was the only driver to do it twice. Robby Gordon qualified and raced in both races in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Hendrick looked at the plan carefully and felt Larson could race in both events with a huge team effort from HMS, Arrow McClaren and Chevrolet.
“…I'll have to give Arrow McLaren the credit because they had a plan and we looked at it,” Hendrick said during the Aug. 13 press conference at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “We're starting to execute. Today was one of those days. Kyle's been in the simulator some and, hopefully, we'll be here in October for the rookie deal, and so the sponsor was no problem. We're just really excited to think we can partner with a world-class team that has tremendous speed and reputation. I feel very, very fortunate.”
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Larson has a full schedule of Cup Series races as well as a huge schedule of races that he is undertaking in Sprint Cars in various locations across the country, including his recent entry into the famed Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway.
“I'm sure once things slow down in the offseason and I have a lot of time to sit around and think about the upcoming season is when it's really going to hit,” Larson said. “I'm sure that's when all the nervousness will start to creep in, but as well as the excitement. I look forward to prepping even more. I definitely look forward to October and getting to do the rookie orientation. I have thought about that a little bit, so I am nervous when I do think about that. But I think once I get in the car, a lot of those nerves will hopefully go away after a few laps, and it will feel like home, just like all the other race cars I drive.”
Larson has already been fitted for the seat that he will use at Indianapolis next May. It only took about an hour to have him consult with the team and take the necessary measurements. It’s the first step for getting the process started over the next 10 months before the green flag falls.
Hendrick began his NASCAR Cup Series team at the start of the 1984 season. This will be his first involvement with an IndyCar team and he hopes to be the first owner to have a winner at Indianapolis and Charlotte on the same day.
“I think (about) Daytona and the Indy 500, and I got to do the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so I'm kind of getting my bucketful here,” Hendrick said. “I never dreamed I'd go to Daytona in a stock car, so we're coming up on 40 years next year. This is such an unbelievable place, here and Charlotte, doing the 600 and this race. It's going to be unbelievable.
“We all talked about it. Kyle wanted to do it. We're just very fortunate that Arrow McLaren was able to put it together for us. So, I can't wait to have that car in the museum.”
Having Hendrick Motorsports’ name on an IndyCar isn’t a new idea, as it’s been talked about in years past. All the pieces had to come together with the right driver at the right time to make it work and Larson seemed to be the perfect fit.
“Jeff Gordon and I talked about it, but he wasn't really keen. Jeff was so focused on driving the Cup car,” Ward said. “But this is the first time that we really got serious with it…this is the first real effort that we said, ‘hey, let's go do it.
“…As Kyle said, no matter what the results are out of this, he'll be a better race car driver. I love that because that's kind of how I see it for the team. No matter how we do, we'll put everything into making it a success, we'll come out as better race teams. That's the mentality that I love and preach, so it's nice to hear that.”
Larson will have 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan at his side every step of the way to coach and guide him until the checkered flag falls over the 180th running of the race come May 2024.
Sunday's NASCAR Cup race
Go Bowling at The Glen, 3 p.m. (USA)
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Kyle Larson to race Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 on same day for Hendrick
