Stay up to speed on Kyle Larson's Indianapolis 500 attempt

By RJ Kraft

CONCORD, N.C. - Kyle Larson's attempt to make the Indianapolis 500 will begin this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion will be on track starting Tuesday, May 14.

SHOP: Get your gear for the #Hendrick1100 now | Scenes from the Month of May

In what is being called the #Hendrick1100, Larson is aiming to run IndyCar's Indy 500 and the Cup Series' Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26 (6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio-Channel 90). The No. 17 HendrickCars.com entry is in partnership with the prestigious Arrow McLaren team. HendrickCars.com is sponsoring both efforts and team owner Rick Hendrick will be the car owner for both. This marks the NASCAR Hall of Famer's first foray into IndyCar ownership.

"I get excited about learning new things and being presented with a new challenge, which an IndyCar is a new challenge," Larson said. "Learning that style of racing a little bit and seeing what translates some. Racing against other drivers that I’ve watched on TV for quite a while or whatever – that’s what I get most excited about. Learning and seeing how quickly you can learn and if you can be competitive. I think if you can do a good job with all of that, then all the other stuff that would be seen as more important on the result end of things would be great."

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SCHEDULE OF ON-TRACK ACTIVITY (ALL TIMES ET)
Friday, May 17:
Noon-6 p.m.: Practice (Coverage on Peacock)

Saturday, May 18:
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Pre-Qualifying Practice (in two groups) (Coverage on Peacock)
11 a.m.-5:50 p.m.: Qualifying (Spots 13-30 in field set) (Coverage on Peacock)

Sunday, May 19:
Noon-1 p.m.: Practice for the top 12 in Qualifying (Coverage on NBC/Peacock)
1-2 p.m.: Last Chance Qualifying Practice (Coverage on NBC/Peacock)
3:05-4:05 p.m.: Top 12 Qualifying (Coverage on NBC/Peacock)
4:15-5:15 p.m.: Last Chance Qualifying (Coverage on NBC/Peacock)
5:25-5:55 p.m.: Fast Six Qualifying (Coverage on NBC/Peacock)

Monday, May 20:
1-3 p.m.: Practice (Coverage on Peacock)

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Friday, May 24:
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Carb Day Practice (Coverage on Peacock)
2:30-4 p.m.: Pit Stop Challenge (Coverage on Peacock)

Sunday, May 26:
12:45 p.m.: Green flag for the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 (NBC/Peacock)

Check back each day for an update on Larson's track activity and the latest from Indianapolis.

DAILY RECAPS
Thursday, May 16
Larson’s day started off with his Arrow McLaren team making a precautionary engine change after not liking some things with the engine that was in the car on Tuesday and Wednesday.

About 90 minutes in, the No. 17 took the track and made a brief race run before coming back in to prepare the car for some qualifying runs.

"I think we’re probably a run or two behind from where we want to be," said Brian Campe, who is the technical director for Hendrick Motorsports and the race strategist for Larson's Indy 500 effort. "You know, it happens. We had the unfortunate of changing an engine, but the reliability and power are most important. We didn’t want to ruin a day by having an engine change in the middle of the session, so it was the best thing for us to do and it's just part of the month of May. Things come that you don’t expect and you just adjust."

The lack of activity in the morning was a bit frustrating for Larson, who was looking to get as many laps as he could on the first day when the weather didn’t impact the bulk of practice.

"The day didn't go as we hoped," Larson said. "When we wanted to do runs in a pack, there were no packs on the track. When we wanted to do single-car runs, cars would pull out in front of me. It was frustrating."

Following his run in qualifying trim, Larson was 25th on the board with a best lap of 222.805 mph. On the day, he ran 29 laps

Wednesday, May 15
The cars got on track for two of the eight scheduled practice hours, as wet weather continued to hinder preparations.

Larson got his first extensive track time of the Month of May in an IndyCar, logging 54 laps during the session. He got time in the draft and in traffic. You can ride along with Larson for a lap here. His best lap of 225.245 mph ranked 15th in the session, which ranked third among his four Arrow McLaren teammates (Alexander Rossi-fifth, Pato O'Ward-seventh and Callum Ilott-21st).

"They are all very experienced and really easy to talk to," Larson said of his Arrow McLaren teammates on Wednesday morning during a media availability. "Just the little bit that I have picked their brain, they’ve been good."

Larson's reputation as a wheelman across a variety of disciplines has added extra excitement to this year's Indianapolis 500. His attempt marks his first foray into IndyCar.

"I did the rookie meeting yesterday. I for sure feel like a rookie," Larson said. "I’m curious how others who are here for the first time feel. There’s plenty of time in the next couple weeks to learn and get prepared for the race. Once you get to the race, there is still a ton you have to learn once the green flag drops."

Tuesday, May 14
Larson was only on track for two install laps before wet weather washed out the day's practice session. He chatted with Peacock about the Indianapolis 500 getting closer, having consecutive days in the car, and learning through experience.

"It’s good to finally have the Indy 500 here," Larson said. "Happy to get this experience underway and get consecutive days in the car. That has been the toughest thing so far is that I go months at a time between each time in the car. Weather is getting in the middle of things today, but once we get through today, I think it should be good."

Larson is looking forward to getting as much seat time as possible ahead as he continues to get acclimated to the IndyCar world.

"These first few days it’s a lot of race running and traffic running," Larson said. "Just trying to learn as much with the car and with myself to get prepared for the race. As we get to Thursday or Friday, that is when you start focusing on qualifying more. I don't necessarily have a checklist of things for me. I think that's all going to naturally pop up. Every time I go on to the race track, I think something new is going to happen that I learn or figure out or present more questions to ask about and learn.

"Literally, every time I leave pit lane there is something new that clicks or a question arises. I'm sure it will be the same these next few days. Then, eventually, you'll get comfortable and really fine tune your brain a little bit to be more relaxed. Right now, everything is happening kind of quickly. Pit lane stuff is so busy and my awareness is super high, but I think as I get more comfortable with that it is just going to become second nature as all the on-track stuff will be."

HOW DOES INDIANAPOLIS 500 QUALIFYING WORK?
Indianapolis 500 qualifying is based on a driver's best four-lap average speed. On Saturday, May 18, every driver will make at least one four-lap run. This is where the jockeying for positions begins. Teams may choose from two lanes to make additional attempts to improve their spot. Cars in the priority lane (lane one) must withdraw their previous qualifying time but can get back on track ahead of any car in lane two. Lane two is for cars that have already qualified but are looking to improve on their previous effort. Their initial time is safe, regardless of how the second run goes. Saturday's activity locks in 30 drivers, with spots 13-30 sealed in the lineup.

On Sunday, May 19, the top 12 qualifiers go in reverse order to see who will be the fast six to compete for the front two rows later in the day. In between, the top 12 session and the fast six is the last-chance qualifying, which determines the final three spots in the field. Every entry is guaranteed one attempt within the given time frame, but several attempts can be made before time expires. The fast six session wraps up the day and determines the pole winner for the 108th Indianapolis 500.

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WHAT IS THE INDIANAPOLIS 500?
The Indianapolis 500 is the most prestigious open-wheel racing event in the country. In NASCAR terms, it is IndyCar's version of the DAYTONA 500. For 200 laps and 500 miles around the famous Brickyard of Indianapolis, drivers will race for the coveted Borg-Warner Trophy.

HOW WILL THE INDY 500 SCHEDULE IMPACT LARSON'S CUP SERIES SCHEDULE?
With Larson in Indianapolis, NASCAR on FOX analyst and 2014 Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick is slated to run the car in practice and qualifying on Friday, May 17, at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Larson will not return for the heat races on Saturday, May 18, and will have to start in the back for the All-Star Race on Sunday, May 19. He will be at Charlotte for all the Coca-Cola 600 events on Saturday, May 25 (practice and qualifying), and Sunday, May 26 (the race).

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HOW MANY DRIVERS HAVE RUN 'THE DOUBLE?'
Larson is attempting to become the fifth driver to run "The Double." John Andretti, Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart are the others. Busch was the most recent to do it in 2014, while Stewart (in 2001) was the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles of "The Double." No driver to attempt it has won either leg.