The treacherous conditions at Indianapolis saw Kyle Larson crash at Turn 3 moments before the conclusion of Indy 500 Fast Friday practice.
As the racing world watched closely, the NASCAR champion piloting the No. 17 Arrow McLaren Racing Chevrolet suffered a dramatic crash in the final 90 minutes of the session at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The incident unfolded under challenging conditions that have characterized much of this year’s build-up to the Indy 500. High winds and unusually warm temperatures swept across the 2.5-mile oval, creating a treacherous environment for IndyCar drivers seeking to maximize their performance ahead of the all-important qualifying weekend.
However, Larson who is renowned for his adaptability and car control was not immune to the hazards. As he attempted his first qualifying simulation run of the day his Chevrolet appeared to bottom out through Turn 3, causing the car to snap loose.
The vehicle spun, making heavy contact with the SAFER barriers nose-first before sliding and striking the wall again between Turns 3 and 4. The crash marked the second time Larson has found the wall in the lead-up to this year’s race, following a previous incident during an open test at the speedway in late April.
Despite the severity of the impact, Larson was able to climb from the car under his own power, immediately reassuring onlookers and his team that he was physically unharmed.
Demonstrating his characteristic resilience and optimism, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion maintained a positive outlook even as his crew assessed the damage to his machine.
“I’m okay,” Larson told reporters after the crash. “Just a lot of front grip there in Turn 3, so just felt it coming around and it comes around quick once it does that. Bummer, but it is what it is.
”At least we’ve found both ends of the spectrum. The open test I hit [the wall] with the right front and today I backed it in.
“Obviously it’s tricky. I spun. I don’t know. Kind of caught off guard a little bit there, but I think we’ll be fine. I tend to get over things pretty quickly. I know I spun but my balance felt pretty close to being good.”
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The timing of Kyle Larson crash, however, could not have been worse. With less than two hours remaining in the critical Indy 500 Fast Friday session, the seasoned driver lost valuable track time that is essential for fine-tuning the car’s setup and building confidence at the daunting speeds characteristic of qualifying.
The Arrow McLaren crew responded with impressive efficiency, managing to repair the front and rear of the car in about an hour.
The rapid turnaround allowed Larson to return to the track and complete additional laps with approximately 30 minutes left in the six-hour session. He ultimately finished the session in 33rd.
His pursuit of the so-called “Double” – the ambitious feat of competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 on the same day – adds another layer of intrigue to his IndyCar campaign.
Last year, Larson finished 18th in a rain-delayed Indy 500 but was unable to participate in the NASCAR race at Charlotte due to weather interruptions.
