For the second yr in a row, NASCAR Cup Collection driver Kyle Larson is trying one of many best feats in motorsports: racing in each the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the identical day.
However the vital preparation of each race vehicles and logistics begins nicely earlier than Larson will try and drive 1,100 miles in someday in two of probably the most prestigious races on the planet.
Following his dominant victory within the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Larson ran 45 laps within the first practice session for the Indianapolis 500 on Tuesday, putting twenty fourth of 34 vehicles on the pace chart.
In a news conference following the session, Larson defined the place his priorities lie in the course of the week of each Indianapolis 500 qualifying and the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
“Simply centered on Indy now,” Larson stated when requested if he was juggling preparation for each the All-Star Race and Indianapolis. “Earlier than I left Kansas, (crew chief Cliff Daniels) and I talked, possibly if there was time on Saturday throughout qualifying, we might get collectively and speak about how (NASCAR) follow went on and get ready for the race on Sunday.”
Whereas Larson is concentrated on getting re-acclimated to his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet on the IndyCar facet, he made it clear that the Cup Collection takes precedent on the entire.
“I feel, irrespective of by this entire expertise, particularly this yr, Cup must be the precedence,” Larson stated. “I assume we’ll run the All-Star Race it doesn’t matter what.”
Ought to Larson make the Firestone Quick Six on Sunday afternoon and be in rivalry to win the pole for the 109th operating of the Indianapolis 500, he would doubtless forfeit the chance to win the pole with the intention to begin the All-Star Race, which begins at 8 p.m. ET.
“Hopefully we run into that predicament as a result of which means our automobile is quick,” Larson stated. “It will be extraordinarily good to go for the pole on the Indianapolis 500, however on the similar time, it is exhausting to show down a chance to race for one million {dollars}. Hopefully we’re in that predicament.”
Whereas Larson is busy at Indianapolis, defending NASCAR Xfinity Collection champion Justin Allgaier will qualify Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet at North Wilkesboro on Friday.
In 2024, Larson opted to race in a rain-delayed Indianapolis 500 and never begin the Coca-Cola 600. Whereas Larson did journey to Charlotte with the intention to end the race, rain delayed and finally ended the Coca-Cola 600 prematurely earlier than Larson had the chance to show a single lap. If Mom Nature interferes with Larson’s plan once more this yr, it seems the Coca-Cola 600 would take precedence.
This week, nevertheless, Larson’s focus is solely on Indianapolis.
“I feel it is good that we’re so well-organized (at Hendrick Motorsports) that I can utterly shut myself off from them for a handful of days to actually try to be taught this and get ready for the five hundred,” Larson stated. “There’s only a lot that is unfamiliar that you need to get refamiliarized with this week.”
