Kyle Larson has announced he will not participate in the IndyCar races scheduled during next year’s Phoenix Raceway doubleheader event, breaking his streak of entries in the Indianapolis 500. The decision was confirmed ahead of the upcoming NASCAR-IndyCar weekend, marking a significant choice for the driver as he focuses his efforts elsewhere.
During an on-site interview at an Arizona Diamondbacks game, Larson disclosed that he would skip the IndyCar segment of the March 7 weekend, which includes the IndyCar race followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts event on the same day. This weekend will be notable as the first IndyCar race at the one-mile flat oval at Phoenix since 2018.
Larson Embraces the Collaborative Racing Weekend but Declines to Compete Twice
Expressing excitement about the collaboration between NASCAR and IndyCar, Larson praised the initiative that brings together different motorsport experiences during a single weekend. He stated,
“I love crossover motorsports. That’s kind of what I’m all about. I heard about it, and when I saw the schedule released, I got really excited.” – Kyle Larson, Driver
“I think it’s going to be great just for the fans to get to experience a lot of different racing that weekend, some high-profile racing. So kudos to both series for collaborating, and hopefully we can see more of that in the future.” – Kyle Larson, Driver
Despite this enthusiasm, Larson declined any plans to race in both the IndyCar event and the NASCAR race during the weekend.
“No, no, no, no, no, I’m good,”
Larson stated firmly.
“I’ll have a really good time watching and supporting where I can. But no, we’ll just enjoy that weekend. Maybe if it was another track, but I love Arizona so much. I like outside the track. I’ll probably be golfing, maybe during the IndyCar race.” – Kyle Larson, Driver
What This Means for Larson and the Racing Community
Kyle Larson’s decision to sit out the IndyCar race at Phoenix shifts how fans might experience the doubleheader weekend. As a Hendrick Motorsports driver known for his passion across motorsport disciplines, Larson’s absence from IndyCar at this event marks a focus on NASCAR competition in Arizona. His support from the sidelines highlights his respect for the expanded schedule without the intention to compete in both series simultaneously.
This weekend collaboration between the IndyCar Series and NASCAR aims to provide fans with a diverse racing experience, potentially setting a precedent for future joint events. Larson’s comments suggest optimism toward ongoing partnerships between the two series while highlighting the challenge drivers face in balancing commitments across multiple racing formats.
