Kyle Larson to Run 2024 Indianapolis 500

Kyle Larson will attempt to win the 2024 Indianapolis 500.

Larson will now be the latest NASCAR driver that runs the Indy 500 along with the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day as he competes for Arrow McLaren Racing in the IndyCar Race.

McLaren will co-own the car with Rick Hendrick, his NASCAR team manager.

“I’m super excited,” Larson said in a statement. “Competing at the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time since Iw as a child before I ever began competing in sprint cars,” Larson said.

Larson will be the NASCAR’s first driver to attempt both races on the same day as Kurt Busch, who did it in 2014. Busch finished sixth at the Indy 500 after an engine problem. He was 40th at the 600.

Busch was first driver to compete in both races since Robby Gardiner in 2004. Gordon won the double in three consecutive years, and four out of five years between 2000-05. Tony Stewart was able to do double duty twice, but Gordon has done double the job five times.

Stewart is the most successful dual-duty driver. Stewart was ninth in the 500, fourth in 600 and sixth in 500. In 2001, he was third in 600 and sixth in 500. When attempting to do double duty, no other driver has achieved top 10 finishes in either race.

Larson’s attempt comes two seasons after Jimmie Johnson raced in the Indy 500 for the first time. After retiring in 2020, the seven-time champion of NASCAR Cup Series raced in full-time IndyCar Series racing. Johnson will race part-time in NASCAR Cup Series in 2023. He is also weighing an Indy 500 appearance this year.

Kyle Busch has also mentioned his desire to run in the Indy 500 but a deal hasn’t materialized yet. Busch claimed in 2017 that there was a ride available for the Indy 500. He also said that McLaren had been in talks to allow him to race in 2023. But those talks didn’t result in a ride.