Mother Nature may have spoiled his first attempt but not even one of the "most disappointing days" of his life could keep Kyle Larson from making another run at 'The Double.' To cap what had always been a two-year deal (albeit with a second-year option), Larson will fill out Arrow McLaren 's four-driver lineup at the Indianapolis 500 in 2025 in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports , the sides announced Tuesday. The goal is for the 2024 Brickyard 400 winner to finally get a real shot at running all 1,100 miles at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The 2024 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year will again drive the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevy May 25, 2025, before hopping out of the car on pit lane and taking a helicopter from the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course to a private jet to get him to Charlotte in time for the start of the Coke 600. In his 500 debut, Larson advanced into the Fast 6 and ultimately started on the middle of Row 2 in 5th (second-best on the team) and led four laps. A pit lane speeding penalty past the race's halfway point dashed hopes of a top 5 finish and relegated Larson to 18th at the checkered flag.
"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," Larson said in a team release. "I appreciate the second opportunity because we have unfinished business. I really want to complete all 1,100 miles, and I think we have the opportunity to battle for the win in both events.”
Insider: Kyle Larson chose the Indy 500. But rain, penalty spoil attempts at historic day.
On race day, severe weather rolled into central Indiana that morning and forced a four-hour delay of the 12:45 p.m. start time for the 500. Given the significant delay and the tight window they were operating within to get Larson to Charlotte, Rick Hendrick and his brain trust that includes NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon, were ultimately forced to pick which race to prioritize for Larson. In a not unsurprising move, given the significant investments the team had made in what was Larson, Hendrick and Gordon's first 500 to compete in, Larson and company stayed in Speedway until the driver took the 500 checkered flag at 7:45 p.m.
Though they whisked Larson away almost immediately, he arrived in Charlotte just past the 600's halfway point. But just as the 2021 NASCAR Cup champ arrived to the team's pit box, rain began to fall, bringing on a postponement and eventual end to the race that had run 249 of the scheduled 400 laps. In place of Larson, Justin Allgaier manned the No. 5 Chevy for Hendrick and finished 13th.
In the wake of Larson missing the 600, NASCAR officials took more than a week to decide to grant the title-contender a waiver to maintain his spot in the playoffs that was put at risk by virtue of missing the 600. NASCAR's 16-driver playoff system includes a field of all drivers who've won a race that year (assuming that list is 16 drivers or fewer) and then the top point-scorers at that point in the year. To be considered, though, drivers must have started in every race, unless they've been given a waiver -- which NASCAR in the past had granted for on- and off-track injuries, as well as suspensions and other matters.
'This feels awfully good': Larson, Hendrick bask in Brickyard 400 win after tumultuous May
Some in the NASCAR world believed the outright choice to skip a race -- even for something as hallowed as running in the 500 -- shouldn't be overlooked by NASCAR . After forcing Larson and the Hendrick crew to weather a race weekend of questions at World Wide Technology Raceway, NASCAR granted Larson a waiver on June 4.
At the time of Tuesday's announcement, it was initially unclear how Larson and the Hendrick team would navigate similar weather issues in 2025, if necessary, and whether the team had engaged in any further talks about chances to land another waiver if needed, with NASCAR.
'We embrace the double': NASCAR grants Kyle Larson a Cup playoffs waiver
"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, "Rick Hendrick said in a release. "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.”
Added McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown: “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.”
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports returning for 2025 Indy 500 despite rollercoaster debut
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