Cup driver Larson eyes Indianapolis 500 ride

CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR champion Kyle Larson has emerged as a candidate for an Indianapolis 500 experience and stated Saturday he has permission from Hendrick Motorsports to run the enduring race if a deal might be accomplished.

Larson informed The Related Press he has spoken to each crew proprietor Rick Hendrick and vice chairman Jeff Gordon about his need, and Hendrick’s solely caveat was that Larson not run the Indy 500 this season.

If he does land a experience, although, Larson stated he’d run “The Double” and compete in each the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the identical day. Solely 4 drivers have beforehand tried to run the 1,100 miles in two totally different states on the identical day, and Tony Stewart in 2001 was the one driver to finish all of the laps.

Kurt Busch in 2014 was the final driver to try the feat.

“Nothing’s modified. I’d like to do it,” Larson informed AP. “It is simply timing and I wish to be in one of the best tools potential. However I’ve informed Jeff and Rick that I might love to do it and it is form of as much as them to seek out one thing.”

Kyle Busch additionally has permission to run the Indy 500 when he joins Richard Childress Racing subsequent season, however conversations with McLaren to run a fourth automobile for Busch have fizzled over the restricted funds supplied by potential sponsor Menard’s for the trouble.

Seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, who final month retired from full-time racing after two seasons in IndyCar and his personal Indy 500 debut, additionally desires to run The Double subsequent season.

However for it to work for Larson, Busch or Johnson, they’d all doubtless have to companion with a Chevrolet crew, and the choices are restricted. Crew Penske has been reluctant to run a fourth automobile at Indy, which would depart Arrow McLaren SP as one of the best viable Chevy alternative. The McLaren lineup completed second, fourth and eleventh on this yr’s race.

Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan, who completed third this yr, has additionally emerged as a candidate for a seat with McLaren. The crew is increasing subsequent yr to a few full-time entries with the addition of Alexander Rossi to the lineup, and crew head Zak Brown has up to now remained undecided on if he desires to area a fourth automobile in “The Biggest Spectacle in Racing.”

Grassroots racing followers are desperate to see Larson at Indy, as his filth background and dominance in smaller collection throughout the nation has made him a well-liked determine. Though his title is now being talked about in IndyCar circles for a possible seat subsequent Could, Larson stated he was unaware of any ongoing negotiations involving his participation.