Kyle Larson will get another shot at the Indianapolis 500 after Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports made a joint announcement at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday afternoon.
The 32-year-old Californian will complete a four-car line-up for Arrow McLaren at the Indy 500, alongside Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel and newcomer Christian Lundgaard, who replaces Alexander Rossi next year.
Larson’s first attempt at “The Double” — the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway — took place this year on Memorial Day weekend and was derailed by rain. At the Indianapolis 500, he qualified fifth after setting a single-lap rookie qualifying record at 233.543 mph before a speeding violation on pit lane hampered his chances for victory and relegated him to 18th. He still earned Rookie of the Year honors at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” The rain delay prevented him from finishing the night race at Charlotte.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the month of May at Indy and racing with Arrow McLaren, but I was disappointed to miss the Coca-Cola 600 with the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team,” Larson said.
“I’m grateful for the second chance because we have unfinished business. I really want to complete the 1,100 miles, and I think we have a chance to challenge for victory in both events.”
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren/Rick Hendrick Chevrolet
Foto de: Josh Tons / Motorsport Images
Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, will once again wear the No. 17 in his IndyCar career, supported by HendrickCars.com as part of what has been dubbed #Hendrick1100.
“Kyle had a great month of May and showed what a talented race car driver he is,” said team owner Rick Hendrick, for whom Larson has driven in the Cup Series since 2021.
“From a sponsorship perspective, we saw an incredible lift for HendrickCars.com and measured a three-to-one return on our investment. It was a monumental effort by everyone involved, but we didn’t have the chance to pull it off (due to inclement weather). We all learned a lot, and we’ll take that into account next year. Now that we’ve experienced it once, we know what to expect, which can only make us better and more prepared. Zak (Brown, McLaren Racing CEO) and the Arrow McLaren team are tremendous partners, and we’re looking forward to finishing the job together in 2025.”
Larson is one of five drivers all-time to have attempted to race in both crown jewel rounds, and the third to make multiple efforts, joining Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon. Neither has scored a win in either race, and only one has completed every lap (Stewart in 2001).
“Kyle showed us all what he was capable of last May, and given a second chance with better weather conditions, I think we’ll all be excited to see him challenge for a win at the Indy 500 and then another at Charlotte,” Brown said.
“He’s one of the most talented racing drivers out there, and it’s a privilege to be doing this again with Mr. Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, both world-class drivers. We’re looking forward to May.”
