Kevin Harvick doubts Kyle Larson‘s Indy 500 chances after seeing the Hendrick Motorsports driver‘s struggles in recent practice sessions and qualifying rounds, arguing that the possibility of a victory now seems unrealistic. Larson, preparing for his second attempt at the famed race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, faces heightened skepticism from Harvick following a series of missteps and challenges during the lead-up to the event.
Harvick Questions Larson’s Prospects at Indianapolis
Last year, Kyle Larson took on the demanding Indy-Charlotte doubleheader for the first time, making an ambitious bid for an Indy 500 debut win. Despite starting fifth, his charge for victory was thwarted by a pit road speeding penalty and a late-race pit stop for the #17 Arrow McLaren, which resulted in an 18th-place finish. The schedule chaos continued as Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 due to weather after gearing up to relieve Justin Allgaier in the #5 Chevy, though he still secured a playoff waiver.
This season, Larson, a former Cup Series champion and standout Californian driver, is attempting to complete both the Indy 500 and the Charlotte race in one day once more. However, a dramatic setback occurred during practice: a crash forced him to qualify in the 21st position. After enduring this rocky path just to clinch a place in the starting lineup, Harvick openly questioned his chances.
“I think the goal is to run the 1100 laps. I don’t think he has a chance to win at the Indy (500). I think the way that they qualified and all the things, and all the things that have happened this year, I think that hope is out of the picture. Personally, I don’t see it,”
—Kevin Harvick, former NASCAR driver, via Harvick Happy Hour.
Harvick further pointed out that shifting focus might be wiser for Larson.
“I think that he could back and be a real contender at the Coke 600. Just being able to finish on the lead lap in the Indy and run all the 1100 miles and check that box, is probably the most realistic goal for this year,”
—Kevin Harvick, former NASCAR driver.
Penske Penalties Shift Grid Positions
The field underwent a shakeup when Team Penske teammates Josef Newgarden and Will Power were penalized for their cars failing IndyCar technical regulations. With the teammates relegated to the final two starting positions, Larson was promoted to 19th on the grid, slightly improving his starting point for the race among the 33 starters.
Larson Reflects on Qualifying and Expectations
Compared to his previous debut where his performance was strong from the outset, Larson now faces a more complicated task. As the Arrow McLaren driver in the #17 car, he will need to advance through the field just to reach contention for the win during the 200-lap challenge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
During Fast Friday practice, Larson’s day took a tough turn. He lost control, resulting in a spin and collision with the outside wall, heavily damaging the car’s front end. Despite this, Larson remained unshaken, viewing the experience as part of his broader motorsports journey, referencing similar incidents from his past in other series.
In the subsequent qualifying sessions, Larson delivered back-to-back four-lap runs that, with the reshuffled field after the Penske penalties, placed him 19th for race day.
“We’re in the race,” said a smiling Larson, who started fifth in last year’s Indy 500 via NASCAR. “After the first run I was a little nervous we’d be one of the guys battling for the final spots. Obviously, we would have loved to have been in the Fast 12 again but overall, a good day, we got two runs in. —Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren driver.
Chasing a Historic Double
If Larson manages to complete all 1100 combined miles of both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, he would join Tony Stewart as only the second driver to achieve this grueling motorsports accomplishment. While Kevin Harvick remains skeptical of Larson’s chances to claim victory at Indianapolis, the challenge of finishing both races would itself be a significant feat in racing history.
With the grid now set and a turbulent lead-up behind him, Larson prepares for another attempt at one of racing’s most respected doubles, determined to overcome the doubts and the unpredictable demands of competing both in IndyCar and NASCAR on the same day.
