Kyle Larson, the racing sensation from Hendrick Motorsports, is causing a stir ahead of his second Indy 500 run with a crucial detail that is turning heads in the motorsports world. The Cup Series points leader has been dominating the 2025 season with an impressive three wins under his belt, including a spectacular performance at Kansas Speedway where he led 221 out of 267 laps, clinching victory in both stages and racking up a whopping 61 points. Larson’s triumph at Kansas marked his 32nd win in the Cup Series, putting him on par with the legendary Dale Jarrett in the all-time list.
In a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Larson shed light on a pivotal aspect of his upcoming Indy 500 race. Not only will he be competing in the prestigious event, but he will also be attempting the Memorial Day Double, participating in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Larson emphasized the significance of the points leader in the Cup Series taking part in the iconic Indy 500, showcasing the series and the hard work of his team. He expressed, “I do still feel like it’s very important for our series that their point leader is running the Indy 500…you know, glad we were able to have enough of a points wing there to get the point lead and, yeah, hopefully we can just have a smooth couple weeks now.”
Despite his stellar track record, Larson faced a setback during preparations for the upcoming Indy 500 when he crashed his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet during an open test session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in April. The mishap occurred as Larson lost control and hit the wall in Turn 1, prematurely ending his session. The talented driver attributed the crash to a costly oversight on his part – forgetting to reset the car’s weight jacker, a critical device for adjusting the car’s handling on the go. However, Larson remains undeterred, vowing not to touch the weight jacker during qualifying, showing his determination to bounce back from the setback.
Despite the crash, Larson emerged unscathed and used the experience as a learning opportunity to delve deeper into the intricacies of IndyCar racing. The incident served as a valuable lesson for Larson, emphasizing the importance of cockpit management and precision at high speeds in the world of motorsports. As Larson gears up for the Indy 500, all eyes are on the racing prodigy as he aims to conquer new heights and continue his impressive run in the 2025 season.