It was a big step towards the 2024 Indianapolis 500 for Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson, as the NASCAR Cup Series driver has passed his rookie orientation for the Indy 500.
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Larson is now one step closer to competing in "The Double"—racing in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. "The Double" has not been attempted since 2014 when Kurt Busch did it. Now that mark might be matched by arguably one of the world's most talented drivers right now when Larson attempts "The Double" next May.
For Larson and his Arrow McLaren with Hendrick Motorsports team, it was a big day. He was expected to get through today's test without a problem. Then again, he had never driven this car so anything was possible.
Luckily for Larson, everything went smoothly, and now he can officially say he will be able to practice and qualify for the Indy 500 in May.
Larson was surprised by how well it went despite his early skepticism about being comfortable in the car. He shared his thoughts during a media session following the test that also featured his car owners Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon. Matt Weaver from Sportsnaut was able to grab a clip from the media session.
Kyle Larson's immediate takeaway from his first time driving an Indy car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pic.twitter.com/6poDzoZbd5
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) October 12, 2023
"I guess mostly what I anticipated in a way," Larson said. "The speed and the grip didn't feel, thankfully, scarier than what I thought it might. But there's like how much the car wants to pull left and you have to kind of fight it back to the right down the straightaways, all of that was something I didn't expect. The way wheel was a lot lighter than the simulator but still a little heavier than maybe what I expected. Other than that, I thought it went really smooth. I need more of the pit-road side of things I'll have to work more on. Just the steering is so slow you have to turn so far to get in and out. If you're coming in around somebody if you're leaving, getting out around someone. Just getting used to the steering at a slower speed will be something to get used to. Then just maximizing the apron and braking for pit road, stuff like that I think is stuff I'll have to really focus on and work on. That way we maximize our potential. Overall, I think it was a great day."
It certainly was, so now it will be wait and see if Larson can not only complete all 1,100 miles ahead of him but put himself in a good place to try and win both events.
