NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will be returning to the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway next May, for a second straight attempt at the Indianapolis 500.
As part of a continued relationship between Hendrick Motorsports and NTT IndyCar Series powerhouse Arrow McLaren, Larson will drive the No. 17 HendrickCars.com / Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
“I really enjoyed the month of May in Indy and racing with Arrow McLaren, but I was really disappointed with missing the Coca-Cola 600 with the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team,” said Larson. “I appreciate the second opportunity because we have unfinished business. I really want to complete all 1100 miles, and I think we have the opportunity to battle for the win in both events.”
In what has once again been dubbed the #Hendrick1100, Larson will attempt to complete 1,100 miles and challenge for a pair of victories in a pair of highly prestigious crown jewel events on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend.
After competing in the Indianapolis 500, Larson will then immediately fly to Charlotte, North Carolina to drive the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
For the second year running, the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet will be owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick, who is the Chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports.
“Kyle had a great month of May and showed what a gifted race car driver he is. From a sponsorship perspective, we saw an incredible lift for HendrickCars.com and measured a three-to-one return on our investment. It was a monumental effort by all involved, but we didn’t have the opportunity to see it through (because of inclement weather). Everyone learned a great deal that we’ll take into next year. Now that we’ve experienced it once, we know what to expect, which can only make us better and more prepared. Zak and the team at Arrow McLaren are tremendous partners, and we’re looking forward to finishing the job together in 2025.”
The 32-year-old driver had an incredible debut in the Indianapolis 500 this season, picking up Rookie of The Year honors and showing incredible speed throughout the entire Month of May. Larson posted a single-lap rookie record in the opening round of qualifying with a speed of 233.543mph and went on to qualify fifth.
Larson spent much of the 200-lap contest running inside the top-10, but a speeding penalty during a green-flag pit stop cycle was ultimately what relegated the Elk Grove, California native back to 18th at the drop of the checkered flag.
After flying back to Charlotte to finish the Coca-Cola 600, Larson was met with the same weather system that plagued Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier in the afternoon, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which ultimately ended the race before the driver swap could be executed.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver is a 27-time NASCAR Cup Series winner and one of only five drivers to ever attempt “The Double”. Next season, Larson will join Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon as the only driver to attempt it twice.
“Kyle showed us all what he was capable of this past May, and given a second chance with better weather conditions, I think we’ll all be excited to see him fight for a win at the Indy 500 and then another one in Charlotte. He’s one of the most talented racing drivers out there, and it’s a privilege to do this again with Mr. Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, who are both world-class. We can’t wait for May.”
Larson will complete the four-driver lineup for Arrow McLaren in the 2025 Indianapolis 500, serving as a one-off teammate to the team’s three NTT IndyCar Series full-timers Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard.
