Kyle Larson to run the Indy 500 in 2024

 

photo by Stacey Owens for Skirts and Scuffs

Kyle Larson may not have done everything possible in a racecar, but after the 2024 race season, he’ll be one step closer. 

Thursday afternoon, Hendrick Motorsports joined IndyCar’s Arrow McLaren to announce that the 2021 NASCAR Cup champion will run the 2024 Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge in a car co-owned by McLaren Racing and Rick Hendrick, the NASCAR Hall of Famer whose organization has a record 10 Cup Series wins at the Brickyard. 

“Having the opportunity to support Kyle, partner with an elite team like Arrow McLaren and promote HendrickCars.com in one of the world’s great auto racing events is truly unique,” said Hendrick. “All of us are competitors. Putting Kyle in top-level equipment and allowing ample time for him to prepare for such a difficult challenge was important. 

“It’s going to be very, very special to field a Chevrolet in the Indy 500 as a car owner. A collaboration like this was what we needed to make it happen, and fortunately the stars aligned. We’re 100-percent committed to doing it right and look forward to working with Zak (Brown) and his organization.”

Larson is, understandably, excited at the prospect of running what has become known as “the Double.” 

“Competing at the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time – since I was a child before I ever began competing in sprint cars.” Larson said. “To do it with Arrow McLaren, and Mr. Hendrick especially, is a dream come true. I’m grateful for the opportunity and am really looking forward to it even though it’s still about a year-and-a-half away. I’m really looking forward to competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 and maybe even get a win or two that day.”

The car number and livery will be announced later for the HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. 

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown seems just as excited to have Larson and Hendrick on board. 

“Adding Kyle Larson with a HendrickCars.com partnership to the Indy 500 lineup in 2024 is exciting for our Arrow McLaren team as well as for race fans,” Brown said. “He’s a complete driver, known for racing anything on wheels, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Kyle can do in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car. It’s been great working with Rick Hendrick and (Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman) Jeff Gordon to pull this together, so a big thank you to them for what’s to come in May 2024.”