TALLADEGA, Ala. – Being busy is the way of life for Kyle Larson.
He began the week at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas and sprinkled in a two-day open test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for next month’s Indianapolis 500. It was the first time he turned laps in an IndyCar since finishing 18th in last year’s 500-mile extravaganza.
After Wednesday’s open test at Indianapolis, Larson’s No. 17 Arrow McLaren car was scored sixth on the speed chart. Thursday told a different story.
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After completing his first full lap at speed in Thursday morning’s session, Larson wrecked exiting Turn 1. The session included extra boost in engines that the teams will apply for qualifying next month.
“It was just unfortunate to get into the wall in practice,” Larson said on Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway, site of Sunday’s Cup race (3 p.m. ET, FOX). “I would rather get it out of the way in April than in May.”
Larson stated on Wednesday that he felt rusty on the IndyCar side. The No. 17 car was tight – oversteer – through Turn 1, not allowing Larson to complete the corner. Following the incident, Larson remained at IMS, chiming in on the debrief with Arrow McLaren. He eased his mind with a workout before checking out Rico Abreu’s race shop and catching dinner.
Larson impressed in his IndyCar debut last year, frequently spending time near the top of the leaderboard, but a late pit-road speeding penalty derailed his chance of snagging an adequate finish. His preparation for the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double hasn’t shifted from last year.
“I wouldn’t say it differs any from before,” Larson said. “For you guys (the media), I get asked a lot less about it than I did last year. For me, I don’t get too far ahead of myself in preparation and things like that because I have so many races between now and [then]. I think I [will] race 10 more times before I go back in May. I don’t think it’s fair to look ahead too far.”
The countdown is on, however, with only 29 days remaining before Larson makes his second attempt at the 1,100-mile day. He will return to Indianapolis following the race weekend at Kansas Speedway in two weeks for opening day practice on Tuesday, May 13. The series practices each day that week before qualifying on Saturday, May 19. If Larson slots in among the top 12 in speed during qualifying, he will remain in Indy for Sunday’s final qualifying session before jetting to North Wilkesboro Speedway for the Cup Series’ All-Star Race.
In between wrecking on Thursday and getting to Talladega, Larson won the 40-lap World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series race at Jacksonville Speedway in Illinois. He arrived at Talladega late Friday night ahead of the race weekend. He qualified 25th for Sunday’s race.