Kyle Larson’s quest — to be the primary motive force since Kurt Busch in 2014 to do the Memorial Generation weekend double of the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race in Charlotte at the identical past — started Thursday, when he were given his first laps in an IndyCar.

The 2021 Cup champion introduced previous this week his intent to compete in each races in 2024 however needed to wait just about 9 months to get heading in the right direction in his automotive, which is being fielded through Arrow McLaren Racing as a part of a partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, the crew Larson drives for in NASCAR.

The orientation program at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is composed of a motive force operating laps between 205-210 in line with month and steadily expanding their velocity. Larson’s quickest lap date used to be 217 mph. Now that he has finished his Indy 500 rookie orientation program, Larson is eligible to effort to qualify for the 2024 race. 

Thought to be one of the most international’s lead racing abilities, Larson stated he thinks he would possibly have long gone simply as rapid as soon as in a retain automotive proper upcoming Michigan World Speedway used to be repaved.

“This track is so smooth, it doesn’t feel like you’re going 220 [miles per hour] — it doesn’t feel any different than going 195 at Daytona or something,” Larson stated in a information convention following the check. I did have a look at the wall one date considering like, ‘Guy, that will in point of fact harm if I accident it.’

“So things are obviously happening quickly. … The speed and the grip didn’t feel, thankfully, scarier than what I thought it might.”

Larson stated the most important factor he realized is how the auto needs to drag left when at the straigthaway. He stated the feeling of velocity most likely could be other as soon as he’s round alternative vehicles, which now and then can put together the auto advance quicker through benefiting from an aerodynamic draft.

“When you get around cars and you get passing — these IndyCars makes such big runs because the tow is so big and I think when people are blowing by so fast on a straightaway or you’re doing the same with the tow that you get, I think that’s when the sensation [comes],” Larson stated.

Larson can be expecting to be turning laps nearer to 240 mph in qualifying for the race.

“When you go into qualifying trim, that’s when it’s going to be crazy,” Larson stated. “I think going another 20 miles an hour faster — from 220 to 240-plus is probably a big difference in sensation.

“So I’ll get to revel in that after week.”

Larson will now put Thursday behind him and focus on the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race this weekend at Las Vegas. He is among eight drivers with a shot at the 2023 Cup championship.

Hendrick team owner Rick Hendrick, vice chairman Jeff Gordon and Hendrick team president Jeff Andrews attended the test at Indianapolis.

[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]

“We’re lucky to have plethora stunning crowd and intensity in our group so that you can get ready for what’s forward and in point of fact put together certain that’s the concern — the point of interest for the corporate is to advance win a championship this week and … even be up right here and be capable to revel in a past like as of late,” Gordon stated.

Larson may have supplementary checks sooner than after Would possibly.

“This can be a heavy trade in for us and the corporate,” Hendrick said. “We need to do it proper. We don’t need to arise right here and stub our toe. We understand how dehydrated it’s.”

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including the past 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass, and sign up for the FOX Sports NASCAR Newsletter with Bob Pockrass.

---

---