CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Larson’s team owner in the NASCAR Cup Series, Rick Hendrick, agreed to allow his star driver to return to the Indianapolis 500 in 2025.
But Hendrick said Larson must be in the car for the complete Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He is not afraid to pull Larson out of the car in the Indy 500, even if he is leading the race.
If there is a weather delay in the Indy 500, Larson would be replaced by Arrow McLaren Sporting Director Tony Kanaan.
“Speaking of the weather, it obviously interfered with Kyle’s participation this year in the 600,” Hendrick said Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I know you wanted to touch on that.
“We’re going to run the 600. We will be here for the 600. If that means having to cut the race short in Indy, we will because my commitment to NASCAR is that we’re in NASCAR and that’s where we run for the championship and so if weather catches us Tony Kanaan will get in the car.
“I don’t think there could be a better backup driver than Tony Kanaan.”
The 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner said he will be ready to go but will have to take a Refresher Test because he has not competed in an Indy car race since he finished 16th in the 107th Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 2023.
When it appeared rain would affect the 108th Indianapolis 500 on May 26, Kanaan was considered as a relief driver, but IndyCar officials ruled that he couldn’t because he had not completed a Refresher Course.
“We’re both going to have to do a refreshment at some point,” Kanaan said. “The rules are that if you don’t race on an oval prior to the 500, we have a test, an open test at the beginning of next year.
“That’s probably when I’m doing my whatever they call refreshment, refreshers, yes.”
Because the Indianapolis 500 start was delayed four hours because of rain, Larson was unable to start the Coca-Cola 600 in the No. 5 Chevrolet.
Justin Allgaier took over that car with the plan of turning it over to Larson once he returned from Indianapolis.
Shortly after Larson arrived at Charlotte Motor Speedway, it began to rain. It continued long enough that NASCAR called it an official race because it was past halfway. Christopher Bell was the winner.
“I couldn’t be two places at one time, although I would have loved to, but I think I owe it to my NASCAR team, as well to get here in time to try and win one of the biggest races of the season,” Larson said. “Missing that race had an implication to this season as well.
“I’m OK with it.”
By missing the Coca-Cola 600, Larson did not score any points. Ultimately, he lost the 2024 NASCAR Regular Season Championship by just one point to Tyler Reddick.