Kyle Larson is preparing for the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double this weekend, aiming to compete in two of motorsport’s most grueling races on the same day. The 2021 NASCAR champion has become only the second driver in recent years to attempt the feat of racing in both the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, with both events taking place on Memorial Day.
The final preparations for the 109th Indianapolis 500 unfolded under clear skies, with temperatures reaching the upper 60s—the warmest conditions of the week. Friday marked the annual “Carb Day” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, featuring a critical two-hour practice session for the 33-car field before race day. The practice wrapped up a busy week at the track, full of notable developments, including penalties for two of Team Penske’s cars after illegal modifications were discovered, and a rookie driver winning pole position on his first career oval start.
Kyle Larson, leading the NASCAR Cup Series standings, is not just participating in one of the world’s premier open-wheel races but will also return for the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 hours later. The challenge demands exceptional endurance and focus, as he transitions from the fast-paced IndyCar to his familiar stock car format.
Action-packed Carb Day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Team Penske made headlines during Friday’s practice session. Josef Newgarden, already a two-time defending Indy 500 champion, recorded the fastest lap in practice, despite his team facing recent penalties. His teammate, Will Power, will share the last row with Newgarden in Sunday’s race due to the infractions, yet managed to be the fifth fastest in the session.
Later in the day, the two Penske teammates squared off in the championship round of the Pit Stop Challenge—a high-stakes, head-to-head contest involving 16 cars in a series of timed rounds. Newgarden emerged victorious, securing his third win in the event’s prestigious history.
While Team Penske dazzled, other drivers experienced a wide spectrum of performance in practice. Pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman, the 25-year-old Israeli making headlines for his surprise qualifying result, finished 29th on the speed charts. In contrast, Kyle Larson’s single lap time placed him 26th, but in longer stints, he ranked among the top six in both 10- and 20-lap averages, demonstrating his consistency and speed over race conditions. Larson spent the day with his Hendrick Motorsports teammates at the track and kept a businesslike focus during post-practice debriefs.
I think it’s a little different than NASCAR with the drafting and not knowing what people’s objectives really were, but it doesn’t hurt [to be fast in multi-lap runs],” Larson said of his work Friday afternoon. “I feel good about my balance, so yeah, I feel like we’re pretty decent. There are a couple guys that are really good also, but I feel like things feel good.
—Kyle Larson, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Overcoming challenges from a challenging grid position
Kyle Larson will start from the seventh row in his No. 17 McLaren Arrow chevrolet/”>Chevrolet, quite a change from his fifth-place starting spot in last year’s race. He recognized this as a unique set of challenges, requiring a smart and calculated approach as he navigates through the tightly-bunched field on Sunday. In contrast to starting up front, drivers coming from further back face increased risk and the need for patience to avoid costly mistakes early on.
I would prefer to start further forward, but I think you’ve just got to be smartly aggressive and patient all at the same time back when you start beyond the first few rows,” Larson said. “I think our car handles good in the pack, so just got to be smart about it. You can’t be too aggressive because if you try to push too much and get tightness and have to lift, then you’re going to give up a spot potentially. Just got to watch out when you make moves.
—Kyle Larson, 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
As the anticipation builds for race day, other contenders also faced adversity during practice. Alexander Rossi—winner of the 100th Indianapolis 500—encountered technical issues with his Ed Carpenter Racing Chevrolet and was limited to just five practice laps before retreating to the garage for repairs. The Rahal Letterman Lanigan team performed an engine swap on Graham Rahal’s No. 15 Honda after just 21 laps, further illustrating the unpredictable nature of preparations for the iconic event.
Indianapolis local Conor Daly, ever-popular with the fans, also had an eventful session in his Junco Hollinger Racing Chevrolet. Daly, starting 11th on the grid, called his afternoon “nerve-wracking,” but still managed 59 practice laps and ended the day with the 10th-fastest time.
Former Indy 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay experienced the most dramatic problem of Carb Day when his Dryer-Reinbold Chevrolet was forced off the track with its rear end on fire. Hunter-Reay voiced concerns about whether the new hybrid system, a recent addition to IndyCar technology, contributed to the failure, especially since his teammate reported related issues.
Tradition and anticipation set the stage for a historic Memorial Day
After the practice session, festivities continued with the always-thrilling Pit Stop Challenge, highlighting the expertise and precision of the teams ahead of the main event. Saturday will bring the public drivers’ meeting and a longstanding parade through downtown Indianapolis, drawing fans and locals together before Sunday’s much-anticipated Indianapolis 500.
This year’s Memorial Day weekend promises drama and excitement, with Kyle Larson preparing for the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double and a field of drivers overcoming obstacles in their push for glory. Whether Larson can conquer the demands of both legendary races in a single day remains to be seen, but his preparation, determination, and the intensity on display at Indianapolis Motor Speedway set the stage for what could be an unforgettable chapter in motorsports history.
