Kyle Larson will strap into an Indy car for the first time at the Indianapolis 500 on Thursday for rookie orientation but still has no idea what to expect.
In the midst of another NASCAR championship run, and one that hasn’t gone entirely smoothly, Larson hasn’t had a lot of time to think about the procedures he will be challenged with to even allow him to participate in the Month of May in 2024.
For one, Larson crashed in practice on Saturday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL and needed to come from the rear on Sunday to advance in the Cup Series playoffs. Then he participated in the High Limit Sprint Car Series finale on Tuesday — winning the inaugural championship by seven points over Rico Abreu.
He just hasn’t had time to think ahead to the Rookie Orientation Program.
“Not really,” Larson said.
He doesn’t even know how to respond to a vibe check, either.
“I don’t know,” Larson said. “I really don’t know. It’s hard to think about when you’re in the middle of the playoffs. If it were in the middle of the regular season, I would probably have more thoughts about it or would be anticipating it for a while.”
“It’s come quickly because I haven’t really thought about it. So, I still, even if (Saturday) were to have gone smoothly, I wouldn’t have thought about it, but I still wouldn’t think about it until Monday.”
The 2021 Cup Series champion will turn laps in the Arrow McLaren No. 17 with support from Hendrick Motorsports from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will need to pass three speed requirements sequentially before being approved to formally practice in May.
- Phase 1 is 10 laps at 205-210 mph.
- Phase 2 is 15 laps at 210-215 mph.
- Phase 3 is 15 laps at 215-plus mph.
Larson stopped by the Arrow McLaren shop in Indianapolis on Tuesday before driving over to Lincoln Park in nearby Putnamville for the High Limit Series race. While at the shop, he got fitted for his seat and got comfortable in the No. 17 for the first time in race-ready configurations.
Hendrick Motorsports leadership Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon will be in attendance on Thursday, as will 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, who will personally coach Larson as the Arrow McLaren competition director.
Roger Penske, the decorated NASCAR and IndyCar team owner, also owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar Series and is expecting a big crowd for Larson’s ROP run.
“I think to have Kyle Larson and Rick Hendrick here is a super advantage for us as a track owner and the series,” Penske told NBC Sports. “To see Kyle, what he has been able to do in every other type of race car will be a real journey for all of the fans here in Indianapolis.”
Larson is attempting to become the fifth driver to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day. He was preceded in this endeavor by John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, and Kurt Busch.
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.