Kyle Larson made it plain after his victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday that he planned to return to the legendary circuit several times during the 2025 racing season.
Larson restarted 23rd after a pit road mistake on lap 130 of the originally planned 160-lap race, grabbed the lead in the first overtime, and won the Brickyard 400 after a caution was flashed on the last lap of the second overtime with Larson leading.
In his first post-race interview, Larson was already looking forward to his next race on the 2.5-mile track.
“I adore you, Indiana fans. “I know you guys adore me, too,” he remarked to a shout from the audience. “How about we return next May and try to kiss these bricks in an IndyCar?”
It appears that a comeback to the Indianapolis 500 is in the planning, with a triumph not out of the question.
Larson made his IndyCar Series debut in this year’s Indy 500, as part of his quest to complete ‘The Double’ by running both the 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup race on the same day during Memorial Day weekend.
Mother Nature had different intentions, however.
Rain in Indianapolis delayed the start of the 500 by several hours, causing Larson to miss the start of the 600. When he got in Charlotte for the race, it had already been red flagged due to rain and was never continued.
Missing the 600 didn’t affect Larson’s NASCAR season; he still leads the series standings and has four victories, but the attempted ‘Double’ left him feeling dissatisfied.
Will Larson return for the 2025 Indy 500?
When asked if Larson was approved for another ‘Double’ attempt, team owner Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon both responded with a noncommittal “not yet,” but the driver is clearly pushing for it.
“We’ve obviously talked about it. Larson stated, “I believe that weighing what is important to everyone.” “It sounds okay so far, but things might change. Yes, we will see.
“I’d definitely love to do that. I believe everyone knows I would want to do it because I did not have the opportunity to do so this year. I didn’t even get to perform the “Double.”
“I’m hoping that the elements will fall into place so that we can put things together, announce something, and get enthusiastic about doing the ‘Double’ next year.”
Larson demonstrated plenty of speed throughout his debut IndyCar stint, from practice to qualifying to the race itself. A pair of blunders, including sliding through the gears on a restart and receiving a pit road speeding penalty, put him out of contention, and he finished 18th.
However, a victory in the Indy 500 is currently his only one.
He has performed poorly in three high-profile races at IMS.
“Getting to experience that race this year, it’s obviously a really difficult event. Larson described the 500 as a “pretty comparable race, but really challenging.” “Those Penske cars are ridiculously quick. It would be practically hard for anyone to defeat Josef Newgarden).
“Hopefully, next year, with the hybrid stuff, more teams will be able to be faster. Hopefully, someday I’ll get an opportunity to win the 500.
“I won on the dirt track on the BC39 and got to kiss the bricks. We’re now in the 400. I suppose there’s one more to tick off: the Indy 500, which would be pretty
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