Kyle Larson has revealed crucial details about the crash that occurred during his run at the Indy 500 open test. On April 24, the second day of testing, the former NASCAR champion experienced significant understeer in his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevy as he approached Turn 1, resulting in a locked tire and a collision with the wall.
After the crash, the medical team evaluated Larson and cleared him for safety. However, the damage to his Arrow McLaren car forced him to cut his testing short, necessitating an early return to his home in North Carolina. In a recent episode of the Pit Pass Indy podcast, Larson explained that the understeer was a direct result of not adjusting the weight jackers on his car prior to entering Turn 1.
Host Bruce Martin inquired about how soon Larson recognized that a crash was unavoidable. In response, he shared that an extended weight jacker reduces understeer, while a retracted one can either diminish oversteer or provoke understeer, which is precisely what happened. Larson apparently left the weight jacker in the retracted position while exiting Turn 4, leading to the understeer and disastrous crash.
This incident serves as a critical learning point for Larson as he embarks on his second attempt at the Indy 500, part of his larger ambition to accomplish “The Double,” which involves completing 1,100 miles of racing during both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600. For Larson, the upcoming 2025 event may represent his final attempt.
Reflecting on the gravity of this possibility during the podcast, Larson noted that if he were to win the Indy 500 this year, he wouldn’t consider racing it again. In 2024, Larson made headlines by qualifying in a strong P5 position, but unfortunately, strategic errors—such as selecting the incorrect gear during a restart and incurring a drive-through penalty for pit road speeding—resulted in a disappointing P18 finish.
As excitement builds for the 2025 IndyCar schedule, fans are encouraged to stay informed on standings, qualifying results, and the latest updates in the world of IndyCar racing.
