Rain delays start at Brickyard, but Kyle Larson says Indy 500 remains his priority: 'We need to run it'
INDIANAPOLIS — With rain delaying the start of the Indy 500, Kyle Larson is committed to sticking around Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 500-mile race at the Brickyard was scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. ET, but the 33-car field remained in the garage with the schedule on an indefinite weather hold as of that time.
IMS president Doug Boles said rain tracking toward the track would make a midafternoon start likely. That would conflict with Larson's plan to be at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 6:22 p.m. ET green flag of the Coca-Cola 600.
Hendrick Motorsports has yet to submit a request for a waiver if Larson misses the start of the Coca-Cola 600.
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Larson, who is attempting to become the fifth driver to race the Indy 500 and Coke 600 “Double” on the same day, reiterated in a prerace interview with NBC Sports' Marty Snider (watch the video above or by clicking here) that making his Indy 500 debut still was his priority despite the forecast.
"It's not just my decision, it's everybody within Hendrick, Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Automotive Group (the sponsor), Hendrick Motorsports all that," Larson said. "I think we 're all part of the decision. Jeff Gordon, Jeff Andrews. There's just been so much time and investment to make this Indy 500 happen. It's been a buildup for over a year.
"We need to run it, and I want to; I feel like I have a really good shot to have a good run and potentially win.
"I just wish it would all work out, and we could get both races in the full distance. I don't care if it's on the same day. I just want to be able to race both races the full distance. But we'll see."
In a separate interview with Snider, Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon reaffirmed Larson's view. But Gordon was hopeful that a possible postponement in Indy to Monday might allow Larson to run both races (though not on the same day).
"This is a part of what you have to commit to, but we still have every intention of trying to get to Charlotte at some point," Gordon said. "But you hope that a call is made if it doesn't look like they're going to be able to get the track dry. Then we can still get there and get him in the car to start that race, but we're going to do everything we can to just keep an eye on the weather, play the logistics game like we have been and even if we run here today, we'll figure out when we can get him to Charlotte."
Hendrick Motorsports has Justin Allgaier on standby to race Larson's No. 5 Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.
If Larson were unable to start the race, he would need a waiver from NASCAR to be eligible to make the playoffs (which is open to drivers who have started all 26 regular-season races). If he's eligible, Larson is locked into the playoffs by virtue of his two victories this season.
"That's what you sign up for when you decide to do this, and this is why it's a lot of decision-making by Rick Hendrick, by Kyle and why we put so much effort into how this plays out," Gordon said. "But those are tough decisions, but those are decisions that have to be made, and you have to have the team in Charlotte, (crew chief) Cliff (Daniels) and all those guys be involved in all that decision-making and play out every scenario and hope you don’t have to do the worst-case scenario.
"But I'm still optimistic of this weather, if it comes and it comes hard enough, it looks like it's going to be here, that we can see a decision by IndyCar. But if we get green here, we want to see Kyle Larson go out there and run the Indy 500."
Hendrick eventually confirmed Larson would be staying in Indy with a social media post at 3:34 p.m. ET.
Despite the rain delay, @KyleLarsonRacin will start the Indianapolis 500. pic.twitter.com/o3oxFO7R8i
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) May 26, 2024
Larson qualified fifth for his NTT IndyCar Series debut and has had a virtually flawless two weeks of practice in his No. 17 Dallara-Cheverolet.
"The experience has been amazing to this point," the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion told Snider. "It's really good. It's the coolest experience I think I've ever had at this point other than having children, that's an awesome amazing experience.
"I hope to do it more in the future. and just keep enjoying this place."
Hendrick Motorsports jointly is fielding a car for Larson with the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team. The deal is for two years (with options), and Larson has indicated he wants to the Indy 500 again in 2025.
"Let's see how today goes," Gordon told Snider when asked if Larson would return next year. "So far, it's been amazing. I think everybody's enjoyed it. Arrow McLaren has been incredible to deal with, and it's been a joy up to this point and Roger Penske and his staff and the team at IndyCar here at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You can't ask for it to go any better than it has so far."
It’s been nearly 18 months of mapping out the details of racing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
