CONCORD, N.C. - Sunday afternoon's Brickyard 400 victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway capped off a unique 2024 for Kyle Larson at the 2.5-mile track.
It all began with the announcement of Larson's Indianapolis 500 bid in partnership with Arrow McLaren. Soon after, planning began and Larson jumped right into preparation to take on one of the biggest racing events in the world.
The journey to the race went about as smoothly as one could have hoped. Larson passed his rookie orientation, spent most of May testing at the track and qualified on the second row for the Indianapolis 500 in his first attempt — all before the race began.
On the NASAR Cup Series side, Larson was also experiencing success. Heading into the Coca-Cola 600 weekend, Larson was the regular season points leader and had already scored two wins. The night before the main event, he would qualify his No. 5 entry in the 10th position as he aimed to take on both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 the following day.
However, the weather forecast would force a change of plans.
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In a cruel twist, rain delayed the start of the Indianapolis 500. While Larson was able to complete the race, it meant missing the start of Charlotte's main event. After arriving at the North Carolina facility shortly after the start of stage three, rain brought the crown jewel event to an early ending without Larson ever turning a lap. With the entire No. 5 team watching on the sidelines, reality set in. Their driver's plan for the weekend had come to a disappointing end.
However, the Brickyard 400 still remained on the Cup Series calendar. While the atmosphere would be different, the chance to win at the famous 2.5-mile oval remained. As a part of the weekend, Larson would also sport a similar paint scheme to the one he was scheduled to run in May.
Come the end of the 400-mile main event, it was the No. 5 team that had played the strategy game well and allowed their driver to have a shot at victory. After navigating two NASCAR Overtime restarts, it was Larson that had finally conquered Indianapolis just months after his Memorial Day weekend plans had been abruptly changed.
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When asked on the start/finish line if the victory made up for the disappointment of May, Larson deceived a heartfelt answer to the fans.
"It does. I guess a little bit," said Larson after climbing from his NO. 5 entry. "I wish we could have got to do both and run the 600. We had a phenomenal car for that race, too."
"I think everything just comes full circle. Everything is meant to be. Today (was) definitely meant to be for us. With the way the strategy was working out, Brad running out of fuel, me inheriting the front row. A lot had to fall into place. Thankfully it did."
"I can't believe it. It's surreal, the win here."
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Several familiar faces were present in victory lane on Sunday. Jeff Gordon, winner of the inaugural race in 1994, and Rick Hendrick came down to celebrate the achievement with Larson. After the race, both Gordon and Hendrick spoke to the media. For Hendrick, it was special to see the full-circle moment at Indianapolis, especially with the paint scheme on track.
"We were disappointed because of the weather," Hendrick said after the race. "We really wanted to get back and finish the (Coca-Cola) 600. We brought that car back with the paint scheme that was on the 600 in the INDYCAR. It was special."
"I think that gave Kyle a lot of, I guess, momentum, motivation. I think we all felt like we were disappointed, disappointed a lot of fans. We couldn't help it. The weather did it."
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As for Gordon, he echoed similar remarks and how special it was to win at Indianapolis in light of the challenges the group faced in May.
"Yeah, I mean, I just think this year's been special. Obviously with Rick driving the race car, but Kyle driving the Indy 500, Rick participating in that. Just to be there on the sidelines watching how that all unfolded," Gordon told the media after Larson's win.
"As much as we've all loved the history of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I think being here for the month of May, those events when we were here in May, just makes you appreciate it that much more. The fans and everybody that makes this speedway so special."
"I don't know. I just feel like today, especially with that car, that paint scheme, the one that was going to run that day, just seemed to bring it all full circle, made it very special."