The speeding No. 17 Arrow McLaren Racing Chevrolet rammed into the turn 3 and turn 4 safe barrier at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, hitting the wall twice before coming to a deafening halt. Out of it stepped 2021 NASCAR Cup Champion Kyle Larson, on his own, in pretty good form. This transpired last week when Larson was practicing for his Indianapolis 500 qualifying weekend. “You see me crash all the time, I don’t think it usually affects me,” said Kyle, in his usual nonchalant demeanor, brushing the crash away like a walk in the park.
He managed to qualify the subsequent day and will be starting 19th in the Indianapolis 500. For those unaware, Larson has undertaken a massive challenge, dubbed by many as the “Double”, which will see him attempting to race 1,100 miles on a single day, the 500 miles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, followed by the 600 miles at Charlotte. Only one driver, Tony Stewart, has been able to complete 1100 miles, so the onus is on Larson to draw level with Smoke on his second attempt.
While the qualifying rounds didn’t turn out as the Arrow McLaren team had expected, they are ensuring the NASCAR star gets good treatment before the mega event.
A 740 Horsepower gift at Kyle’s doorstep
A recent Instagram video showed Kyle Larson zooming away with a bright orange McLaren 750S. The post captioned, “The Perks of Driving for McLaren”, was enough to send any motorhead into a frenzy. The McLaren 750S is a game-changer. It’s got that lightweight aerodynamic body design that screams McLaren know-how, with carbon fiber components that shave off the pounds while cranking up the downforce. It’s a machine that’s as nimble as a cat on both the road and the track, thanks to its sleek, sculpted lines and active aerodynamics. It’s all about that perfect blend of form and function, making sure every drive is an absolute thrill.
Step inside, and wow, it’s like stepping into a luxury suite that’s still all about the drive. Alcantara and leather wrap you in comfort, and the dashboard? Minimalist, keeping your eyes right where they belong—on the road. The new digital instrument cluster and infotainment system are a cinch to use, giving all the connectivity and comfort without stealing the spotlight from the car’s performance. This beast of a car is priced around $320,000, but Larson gets to take it on a free ride.
Syndication: The Indianapolis Star Kyle Larson sits in the Arrow McLaren pit box Thursday, May 18, 2023, during the third day of practice for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Larson will be driving for Arrow McLaren in the 2024 Indianapolis 500. , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKristinxEnzor/ForxIndyStarx 20692944
Going under the hood, this beast packs a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine under there, and it’s a monster, dishing out 740 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Pair that with a dual-clutch transmission that shifts quicker than one can blink, and the beast sprints from 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds. This gift to Larson is more of long long-standing tradition, wherein racers are gifted cars by their teams, especially in F1, where McLaren drivers like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are often seen zooming with their McLarens both on and off the race circuit.
Now that the HMS driver has bagged this sweet ride, all eyes will be on Sunday’s race. This is a redemption run for Larson, given how last year’s attempt was foiled by weather and the waiver controversy. But what should be the realistic expectation for him this year?
Will Kyle Larson win the Indy 500?
Starting from 19th on the grid isn’t the best place to be when you are aiming to win the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Last year, his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was pretty good in terms of speed and balance. But this year, the story is a little different. Larson crashed the car twice during the buildup to this event, and it seems that his confidence has taken a hit. It’s not that the McLaren camp doesn’t have the speed; Pato O’Ward is starting the race third on the front row, but the #17 team has had issues.
“I think the goal is to run the 1,100 miles. I don’t think he has the chance to win at Indy. I think with the way that they qualified and all of the things that have happened this year, I think that hope is out of the picture, personally. I don’t see it. I think that he could come back and be a real contender at the Coca-Cola 600.” Kevin Harvick opined.
Now, crashing himself out of the race wouldn’t be a good sign if he wants to complete the double duty. It takes a monumental effort by the entire HMS team to stage such a crossover. So, if something wild doesn’t happen during the Indy 500, Larson should see it out and get back to Charlotte in time to run the 600. Not to forget, the weather is another tricky factor that could play its role in deciding Larson’s fate as it did last year.
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