NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson gets to ride the Indianapolis 500 with an Arrow McLaren

2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will make his Indianapolis 500 debut in May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the Arrow McLaren.

The deal was announced at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 12th.

Larson’s Chevrolet will be owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick and carry the title partnership from HendrickCars.com. Rick is Chairman and CEO of the Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of the 14-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Hendrick Motorsports, which Larson has driven since 2021.

Additional details, including the vehicle number and color of the HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, will be announced at a later date.

In partnership with McLaren Racing, the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 will mark the premiere event as NTT IndyCar Series team owner Rick Hendrick, whose stock car teams have won a record 291 points in Cup Series races. He is also the winningest NASCAR owner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with 10 cup victories on 2.5-mile ovals.

“Having the opportunity to support Kyle, partner with an elite team like Arrow McLaren and promote HendrickCars.com in one of the world’s greatest motorsport events is truly unique,” ​​said Hendrick. “We are all competitors. Putting Kyle in top-tier equipment and allowing him plenty of time to prepare for such a tough challenge was important. It will be very special to get Chevrolet into the Indy 500 as a car owner. It was a collaboration like that that we needed to make it happen, and thankfully Stars lined up. We are 100 percent committed to doing it right and look forward to working with Zach and his organization.”

The 30-year-old Larson has proven success at the NASCAR Cup Series level, winning the 2021 series title, 19-point drive races, the 2019 and 2021 NASCAR All-Star Race, and the 2014 Sunoco Rookie of the Year award. In his 2021 championship campaign, Elk Grove, California, has won 10 point races and has driven more laps in a season (2,581) than any driver since 1995.

“I am so excited,” said Larson. “Competing in the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I have wanted to do for a very long time – ever since I was a kid before I started competing in sprint cars. Doing it with Arrow McLaren and Mr. Hendrick in particular is a dream come true. I am grateful for the opportunity and really looking forward to it.” Even though it’s still about a year and a half away. I’m really looking forward to competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 and maybe even a win or two that day.”

Entering his twelfth season in the NASCAR Cup Series and third with Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Kyle has consistently expressed interest in racing the Indy 500 with the Chevy team. Arrow McLaren, with an opening in the 2024 lineup, is aiming to make it to the front of the grid.

“The addition of Kyle Larson in partnership with HendrickCars.com to the Indy 500 lineup in 2024 is exciting for the Arrow McLaren team as well as for the racing fans,” said Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren. “He’s a complete driver, known for racing anything on wheels, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Kyle can do in an NTT IndyCar Series car. It’s been great working with Rick Hendrick and (Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports) Jeff Gordon to put this together, so thanks Big thanks to them for what’s to come in May 2024.”

Pending an additional 2023 entry, Kyle will become the fifth driver to run “The Double” on Memorial Day weekend by racing the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. His double would be the first since Kurt Busch raced both events in 2014.

Widely regarded as a world-class talent, Larson has an extensive resume of stock racing success with over 400 wins in a variety of disciplines and vehicle types on dirt and pavement. His ingenuity and experience complement McLaren Racing’s investment, strategy and competition in various racing series. Kyle joins a list of other high-profile names to compete for Arrow McLaren at the Indy 500, including two-time race winner Juan Pablo Montoya, two-time Formula 1 Champion Fernando Alonso and 2013 race winner Tony Kanaan, who joins Pato’s O. Ward, Felix Rosenqvist and Alexander Rossi (2016 winner) at the 2023 Indy 500.

“Kyle’s ability and desire to compete across the many disciplines of motor racing is as rare today as it is refreshing,” said Gavin Ward, McLaren Racing Director. “He’s one of the best dirt track racers on the planet. He’s a NASCAR Cup Champion. He won the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He’s an incredibly talented driver and has shown he can win no matter what his races are. I can’t think of a more exciting addition to Arrow McLaren 2024 Indy 500 lineup. We are all racers on this team, and we will do everything to make sure this endeavor is as successful as it can be.”