Larson is making his maiden try within the Indy 500 as a part of ‘the double’ on Memorial Day Weekend that features operating the 600-mile NASCAR Cup Collection race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Might 26. He’s driving the Chevrolet-powered No. 17 that’s co-entered by Arrow McLaren and Rick Hendrick.
With the issues of climate, such because the rain that restricted Tuesday’s opening follow for the Indy 500 to 23 minutes of on-track operating, again up plans have been a speaking level with regards to Larson’s logistics.
Within the occasion of a complication, Larson, the present Cup Collection championship chief, would hand the duties off to 2013 Indy 500 winner Kanaan.
“Yeah, hopefully that doesn’t come up,” mentioned Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Collection champion.
“However I’m unsure who the one is to make that decision. I’m certain there’s a window of time that when it will get to a sure level I’ve to go away as a result of the Coca-Cola 600 is the precedence that weekend and chasing one other NASCAR Cup Collection championship is the precedence.
“Yeah, I simply hope that doesn’t come about. Tony Kanaan is there for reserve, if one thing like that does occur, to fill in for the (Indy) 500. However yeah, simply pray that doesn’t occur.”
Kyle Larson, McLaren-Hendrick Chevrolet
Picture by: Penske Leisure
Nevertheless, there’s a complication as Kanaan, who already has a helmet and firesuit prepared, will not be being allowed to do his refresher of the final two phases if Larson stays an entrant to this yr’s version of “The Best Spectacle in Racing”.
An IndyCar consultant shared with Motorsport.com that Kanaan coming in as a aid driver after ‘x’ variety of laps ought to Larson want to go away will not be an choice.
Nevertheless, a state of affairs the collection confronted lately was introduced up as a comparable choice.
In 2021, Jack Harvey was injured in a follow crash at Texas whereas driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Regardless of being out of the automotive for a number of months, Santino Ferrucci confirmed up with helmet in hand and was accredited to switch Harvey after he was withdrawn from the race. Ferrucci was allowed a short particular session to get acclimated forward of the race earlier than being required to start out from the again of the 27-car discipline earlier than occurring to complete ninth.
The distinctive view on the present stance by IndyCar is that aid drivers have been allowed at one level, notably the 2004 Indy 500. In that occasion, Jacque Lazier ran a automotive for AJ Foyt Racing for sooner or later forward of qualifying earlier than the staff opted out. Nevertheless, Lazier turned the aid driver for Robby Gordon, who was pulling double-duty with the Cup race, after rain delayed the beginning of the race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gordon, driving for his personal staff within the Indy 500, was solely capable of full 27 laps earlier than handing off to Lazier and leaving for Charlotte.
Larson, the fifth driver to try ‘the double’ alongside John Andretti, Kurt Busch, Gordon and Tony Stewart, is left ready on Mom Nature on what transpires within the days forward.
For now, although, the main target is just taking in all the pieces that comes with the competing in an Indy automotive on the Speedway.
“I get enthusiastic about studying new issues and being introduced a brand new problem, which an Indy automotive is a brand new problem,” Larson mentioned.
“Studying that type of racing slightly bit and seeing what interprets some. Racing in opposition to different drivers that I’ve watched on TV for fairly some time or no matter; that’s what I get most enthusiastic about.
“However largely, simply studying and seeing how rapidly you possibly can study and in the event you could be aggressive. I believe if you are able to do a very good job with all of that, then all the opposite stuff that might be seen as extra vital on the consequence finish of issues could be nice.
“I’m simply excited to study one thing new.”
