Kyle Larson drives on track for first time during Indy 500 rookie orientation

Today is the big day for Kyle Larson as he undergoes his Indy 500 rookie orientation. He’s already climbed into his car. He also has Tony Kanaan close by to help him out. There are few, if any, people better suited to introduce the NASCAR champion to IndyCar and the IMS oval than Kanaan.

The Arrow McLaren organization has a ton of success and a storied history in IndyCar. Kyle Larson and HendrickCars.com are coming on board for this one. He has a great-looking car, but he wants to race as great as his car looks next year in the Indy 500.

Rookie orientation is getting underway as Larson is in the heat of the NASCAR Playoffs. He’s used to having a busy schedule, though.

Nathan Brown with the IndyStar is on the ground at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He got a video of Kyle Larson making his cockpit entry as he prepares to take the track.

In the cockpit: ✅ pic.twitter.com/PKCQb1htwd

— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) October 12, 2023

Here is Larson taking off and getting up to speed as he leaves pit road.

And he’s off.

For those of you new to the @IndyCar world, here’s what @KyleLarsonRacin has to do today to pass his Indy 500 rookie program:

-10 laps at 205-210 mph
-15 laps at 210-215 mph
-15 laps at 215+ mph

Do that & he’s cleared to qualify for next May’s Indy 500. pic.twitter.com/K5OodVAIOR

— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) October 12, 2023

This is a huge moment. Kyle Larson will race the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. He hopes to finish all 1100 miles and hopefully, come away with a pair of top-10 finishes or better.

Kyle Larson preparing for history in 2024

The last time a driver attempted Double Duty was Kurt Busch in 2014. He raced with Andretti Autosports and of course, was with Stewart-Haas Racing at the time. Surprisingly, Busch finished better in the IndyCar race, P6, than he did in the 600, P40.

The only driver to finish in the top-10 of both races, and he’s done it on two occasions, is Tony Stewart. Stewart’s best race had to be that 2001 attempt. He finished P6 in the Indy 500 and followed it up by finishing P3 at Charlotte.

P6 is the highest finish for a Double Duty driver in the Indy 500. Robby Gordon, Stewart, and Busch achieved this in their various attempts. P3 is the highest finish for any driver in the NASCAR race. Stewart also finished P4 in his first attempt back in 1999.

Could Kyle Larson produce the best finish ever in the history of the Double? He is regarded as one of the most talented drivers in North America. From his dirt background to stock cars, he has a bit of that Tony Stewart reputation in him. He can drive anything, anywhere, and do it well.

So, what do you expect from Larson next year as he races with Arrow McLaren in the Indy 500?