Kyle Larson finishes P18 in Indianapolis 500, departs for Coca-Cola 600

In a valiant effort, Kyle Larson turned a ton of heads and impressed many in his first Indianapolis 500. Now off to Charlotte. This race was fun, but didn’t end the way the NASCAR star dreamed of it.

Thanks to a speeding penalty late on pit road, Kyle Larson was a lap down in this race with 70 laps to go. That is not where you want to be if you think you have a chance to win the race.

Instead, Larson will pick up a P18 finish in his first Indy 500 attempt. Something tells me that he will be back again. Josef Newgarden ended up going back-to-back with a last-lap pass on Pato O’Ward to take the win. A fantastic race for the win.

Kyle Larson finishes 18th in his first Indianapolis 500.#INDYCAR | #Indy500

— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) May 26, 2024

Despite going a lap down, Kyle Larson did get back on the lead lap. It just didn’t matter much in the end. He already did the damage with the speeding penalty on pit road late that cost him position. Larson put his best effort forward and one mistake wiped most of it away.

The good news is that due to Larson’s tire strategy late, he did lead laps in the Indy 500. He can at least say that he did that. They were for not. Larson needed a caution to come out while he was out front for it to matter. A disappointing moment for Larson, but he will be back for more.

This race is so technical, all it takes is one mistake to throw it all away. Unfortunately, Larson made that mistake today.

Kyle Larson will take over for Justin Allgaier

With a potential for rain in the middle of the Coca-Cola 600, Kyle Larson is on his way to Charlotte. There, he will jump into the No. 5 car that Justin Allgaier has been taking car of to start this race. He has done a great job at it, too.

The real heartache in the IndyCar race had to do with Larson’s teammate. Pato O’Ward made a pass as he and Josef Newgarden came across the start-finish line with a lap to go. He went by Newgarden and it felt like he would have the race locked up.

Newgarden had one more pass in the tank and made the move. It was strong and decisive. Ultimately, the Mexican driver lost. The fan-favorite in IndyCar was not able to pull it off when it mattered most. Heartbreak.

Kyle Larson is hoping his fortunes turn around as he heads to Charlotte. Today is a reminder of just how great Tony Stewart was in his second Double attempt. Finishing all 1100 miles takes Mother Nature to cooperate and a mistake-free performance on the track. Nothing is promised in the Double.