Planning the racing schedule for next year may not be the first thing on Kyle Larson’s mind after winning Sunday’s thrilling Brickyard 400, but the 2021 Cup Series champion has interest in a second shot at the Indianapolis 500.
The “double” attempt in May was highly documented as a disappointment due to Mother Nature hampering Larson’s day in two different regions of the country on the same day.
In a collaborative effort with Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports, Larson qualified fifth for the 108th running of the Indy 500, but a pit-road speeding penalty in the closing stages of the event stymied Larson’s otherwise impressive outing, and he finished 18th.
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Rain kept Larson out of the Coca-Cola 600, but the California native was able to run and win at the Brickyard with the same special paint scheme that was used for the Coke 600.
While Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick provided a “not yet” to a potential deal for Larson to run the 109th Indy 500, Larson is on board for a sequel.
“We’ve definitely been talking about it,” Larson said in Sunday’s post-race press conference. “I think weighing what’s important to everybody … it sounds good, I’ll say, so far, but things could change, so we’ll see. Obviously, I’d love to do it. I think everybody knows that I would love to do it because, in my mind, I did not get to do it this year. I hope that the pieces can fall into place and we can hopefully get things put together and announce something and get excited about doing the double next year.”
With a Brickyard 400 victory now on Larson’s career resume, another shot at winning the Indy 500 only amplifies the presence of the 31-year-old wheelman, and he could go into rarified air if he’s able to take home the checkered flag in the 500.
“Hopefully, someday I get the chance to win the 500 because I’ve won on the dirt track at the BC39, got to kiss the bricks there and now in the 400,” Larson added. “I guess there’s one more to check off in the Indy 500, which would be pretty special.”