Kyle Larson will start from the 21st position at the 2025 Indianapolis 500, a result that comes after a week filled with heart-stopping moments and two significant crashes at the legendary 2.5-mile speedway. Competing for Arrow McLaren in his second year at the event, Larson endured tough setbacks during test sessions and qualifying, but has emerged physically unscathed, if visibly frustrated by a string of frightening incidents that put the risks of the race in stark relief.
The first crash came just weeks before qualifying, when Larson lost control during testing and slammed into the wall. Undeterred, he returned for official runs at the track, only to crash again on Friday. Despite the forceful impacts, the Hendrick Motorsports driver managed to avoid going airborne, a fate that several of his fellow competitors were not as fortunate to escape. The mood in the paddock shifted as, later that same day, Kyffin Simpson’s car got airborne after hitting the wall, followed by a dramatic Saturday crash involving Colton Herta, who slid upside down along the fence after being launched off the ground.
On Sunday, the chaos continued when Scott McLaughlin violently struck the barrier, sending his car into the air and tearing a wheel off upon landing. The dangerous sequence of accidents prompted NASCAR veteran Kyle Busch—himself previously denied an Indy 500 entry by Joe Gibbs Racing—to voice his concern on social media.
“This year Indycar qualifying… NO THANKS!! All you @KyleLarsonRacin stay safe boys!”
Busch warned on X.
Kyle Larson will need to set aside the turbulence of qualifying as he prepares for both the Indianapolis 500 and a faceoff against Busch in Sunday’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Despite narrowly avoiding serious injury amidst a weekend marked by wrecks, Larson’s determination remains clear, but the physical and mental toll of recent crashes now hangs over his challenging bid to make history at Indy.
