Kyle Larson details Indianapolis 500 experience live on pit road ahead of Coca-Cola 600

Kyle Larson was present at the 2023 Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday (IMS) — one year before the NASCAR Cup Series star is scheduled to take part in the Memorial Day weekend event.

Larson sat in an Arrow McLaren pit box, picking up on the details that go into running the Indy 500 in preparation for his ride next year. Speaking with NBC during the race, Larson detailed his experience at IMS.

Interview with Kyle Larson during the Indy 500. pic.twitter.com/RX6bwpEIOY

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) May 28, 2023

“It’s been cool,” Larson said. “Just kind of listening to them discuss fuel mapping and strategy and also just looking at balance and stuff that, you know, recommended changes. It’s the stuff I don’t ever get to listen to when you’re behind the wheel. So, trying to get the other side of it and help prepare me to really know what they’re able to look at. Everything seems to be going smooth so far, so, we’ll see what the rest of the race holds for them.”

As for the pre-race scene, Larson called it “unreal.”

“Ah, it’s unreal,” Larson said. “The Indy 500 is amazing, I mean, it’s the biggest race in the world, biggest sporting event in the world. So, cool to be part of it as a fan this year and look forward to having my family here next year and get to compete and just have a whole different feel to it.”

Kyle Larson looking to pull off ‘Memorial Day Double’

In May 2024, Larson will look to become the fourth driver to successfully pull off the “Memorial Day Double” by competing in the Indy 500 at IMS before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 that evening.

It is a tall task, racing 1,100 miles between two race tracks 600 miles apart, but one Larson’s prepared to attempt. 

“It is, it will be,” Larson said Sunday. “I don’t know, I mean I love racing… Love trying new things. I love like, learning new disciplines, and I love competing in the biggest races, and in my opinion, this is the biggest race in the world. So I’ve wanted to be a part of it for a long time, and finally feel like the timing is right.

“So thanks to Arrow McLaren, Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon. It’s pretty cool to have a dream come true.”