Following an impressive debut last year, Kyle Larson aimed for a smoother return to IndyCar racing as he prepared for the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. However, his path toward Sunday’s 200-lap marathon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been anything but straightforward, marked by crashes and ongoing struggles with his car’s balance during practice sessions.
The Friday Carb Day practice represented the final opportunity for Larson to prepare, but unlike last year, he faced a tough time dialling in his Arrow McLaren race car. Crashes during April’s open test and Fast Friday cast shadows over his weekend performance expectations, while adjustments to his race car have proven more complicated than anticipated. Larson’s challenges are intensified by changes in technology and his own position starting mid-pack, which increases the difficulty of maneuvering through the field at this elite level of racing.
Balancing the Car Remains a Key Struggle for Larson
At a media session Thursday, Larson reflected on the differences this year compared to his previous Indy 500 experience, highlighting the new hurdles he faces.
“I feel like last year we didn’t really have to mess with a whole lot,”
he said.
“I thought the balance was pretty comfortable, but it’s just taken a little bit more time to get to that comfortable spot this year. Happy with where we’re at now.”
While Larson started fifth in last year’s race, he heads into this event from 19th on the grid, a much less favorable spot. The difference is significant because moving through the field at the Indy 500 requires strong teamwork and strategic cooperation, unlike some other racing disciplines where individual prowess is more prominent.
“I think for any of us in the field, you have to rely on your team,” said Larson, who acknowledged his Row 7 starting position “definitely presents challenges.” —Kyle Larson, Driver
Learning From Last Year’s On-Track Setbacks
Last year, Larson suffered a costly restart mistake that dropped him from sixth to 14th early in the race, although he fought back to the top five by the three-quarter mark. Unfortunately, a speeding penalty late in the race diminished his chances for a strong finish. Drawing from that experience, Larson is optimistic about improving his restart executions this time around.
“I had that horrendous restart last year. I think I fell back to close to where I’m starting,” he explained. “We were able to get closer to the front by the three-quarter point of the race. I think if you just (focus on) normal kind of race stuff, execute good restarts and pit stops and things, you can work your way forward without having to work too hard.” —Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson noted that while practice sessions don’t provide opportunities to rehearse restarts, his prior experience has given him useful insight. He described how a gear-shifting error in last year’s first restart led to his mishap but praised his recovery after that.
“I would say every restart after that was pretty good. We would gain a spot or three,”
he said.
“It was honestly probably good for this year I think to go and have that bad restart, and then you have to get aggressive on some others to learn for this year having to start from, I don’t know, Row 7 or wherever we’re at.” —Kyle Larson, Driver
Adapting to the New IndyCar Hybrid Technology
One major challenge that has defined Larson’s experience this year is mastering the complications introduced by IndyCar’s new hybrid engine system. This powerplant includes a supercapacitor that stores energy during racing and can provide an extra burst of approximately 60 horsepower at the driver’s discretion—a feature controlled manually with a button.
The system differs from previous push-to-pass buttons in that it does not limit total usage time over a race. However, it requires drivers to manage regeneration timing and deployment tactically, adding a new strategic layer. Alex Palou has been recognized as the driver who has best adapted to this technology early in the season, boasting four wins and a second-place finish in five races so far.
In contrast, Larson and several other drivers have struggled with the added weight—about 100 pounds heavier—and altered handling dynamics brought on by the hybrid system. The increased complexity has been linked to multiple crashes across testing and practice sessions, with Larson involved in two incidents.
Despite the crashes, Larson maintains a pragmatic outlook about their psychological effects.
“You see me crash all the time,”
Larson said.
“I don’t think it usually affects me.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
On the strategic use of hybrid energy, Larson downplays the advantage it provides over other drivers.
“The hybrid is, I feel like, hyped up as being this crazy new thing, but it’s really not a big deal either, I don’t think,”
said Larson Thursday.
“I don’t know what these guys think. But you just pull the paddle and go. When you want more charges, hit a button. It’s not really, like, a big deal.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson further remarked that the boost’s effect is subtle, especially compared to traditional expectations of push-to-pass systems.
“You say push-to-pass or whatever, and it’s going to be like 500 more horsepower. It’s just a little bit of help down the straightaways,”
he explained, noting the importance of effective regeneration so the energy is available when leading the pack.
Mastering Complex Controls in the IndyCar Cockpit
Beyond the hybrid engine, Larson faces challenges with the intricate array of steering wheel controls unique to IndyCars, which require constant attention throughout a race. He feels increasingly comfortable managing these systems after gaining experience but acknowledges how much more there is to control compared to stock cars and sprint cars.
“I would say everything besides the IndyCar, (like the stock car and Sprint Car), is really easy because I do it often,”
Larson said.
“I wouldn’t say the IndyCar is difficult to drive by any means compared to the others but it’s just, like, there’s so much more going on in the car that’s new to me, you know? Like, Sprint Cars, all I have is a wing valve. Rarely do I touch that. In the stock car … you have some fans and stuff but that’s not really a big deal.”
“But then in the IndyCar, you have fuel mappings, weight jackers, bar adjustments, all sorts of other things, too. The hybrid now that you have to keep on top of.” —Kyle Larson, Driver
Personal Loss and Team Adjustments Impact Larson’s Preparation
Another challenge affecting Larson’s 2025 Indy 500 campaign is the recent passing of his public relations specialist, Jon Edwards, who died on April 12 from complications related to a diabetes condition. Edwards, long a trusted aide to Jeff Gordon, played a vital role in managing Larson’s schedule and logistics during last year’s attempt at The Double—the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
His absence left Larson scrambling to organize his team in the weeks leading up to the race. Hendrick Motorsports’ Ashly Ennis has stepped into the PR manager role, helping to maintain order through the busy event schedule despite the late change.
“I think just — had he been here, it would have been more organized weeks ago. But I feel like since he passed, it was kind of like quick decisions on who’s going to be the team around me,” Larson said. “I would say to this point, though, now that we’re here, it’s well-organized, and that’s a lot due to Ashly and everybody at Arrow McLaren, as well. I think everybody with Jon out here worked much harder to make sure it was smooth operating, which it’s been so far.” —Kyle Larson, Driver
Practice Speeds Show Midpack Performance for Larson
Larson’s practice performance this week has generally hovered around the middle of the pack, with his best showing on Monday when he posted the 11th-fastest lap. Other sessions produced mixed results: 24th on Tuesday, 13th on Wednesday, 17th on Thursday, 33rd on Fast Friday, and 22nd on Saturday before qualifying.
Despite these uneven speed indicators, Larson is hopeful that his combined experience in IndyCar and NASCAR will allow him to make strategic moves through the field on race day. He finds similarities between the handling characteristics of IndyCars and stock cars, which have eased his adaptation process.
“The cars are pretty similar to the stock car stuff. Even learning it wasn’t crazy difficult,” Larson said. “So yeah, I think that allowed me to enjoy the moment and enjoy all the fans’ stuff, and all the festivities that go on throughout these couple weeks.” —Kyle Larson, Driver
“It’s definitely the biggest event I’ve ever competed in. It’s everyday is something. It’s really cool. Being a part of it again is really special. Hopefully we can make the (The Double) special and perform well on track, and then do a good job, too, in the NASCAR stuff.” —Kyle Larson, Driver
Looking Ahead to the 2025 Indy 500 and The Double
Kyle Larson’s 2025 Indianapolis 500 campaign has been marked by fresh technical challenges, ongoing car setup struggles, and the emotional weight of personal loss. His starting position deep in the field tests his ability to navigate tight traffic while working closely with his Arrow McLaren team. The integration of a hybrid powertrain adds complexity to Larson’s race craft, demanding focus on both vehicle control and strategic energy deployment.
Nevertheless, Larson’s experience across multiple racing series, combined with lessons learned from last year’s debut, position him to potentially overcome these obstacles. His calm and reflective approach underlines a sincere determination to succeed in The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, while simultaneously preparing for the grueling double effort of competing in both the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
As race day approaches, Larson’s ability to master new technology, execute clean restarts, and rely on team support will be central to his success at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this year.
