Kyle Larson Slams Into Indy 500 Barrier During Practice Session

Gearing Up for the 109th Indy 500: A Rollercoaster Day for Kyle Larson

Day 2 of open testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the upcoming 109th Indy 500 didn't go swimmingly for Kyle Larson. Known for his double-duty racing at Indy and then dashing off to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, Larson is trying to make the most of every minute in the IndyCar.

The new hybrid power units in the series this year pose a bit of a challenge, adding extra weight to the cars and more duties for the drivers. Despite that, Larson managed an impressive 11th position in the time trial on Day 1, and he was even quicker on the no-tow sheet, grabbing the 6th spot and snatching the top spot for the Arrow McLaren team.

Nonetheless, Day 2 didn't start off on a high note for Larson. As he barreled into Turn 1, he seems to have nudged a bit too high and experienced understeer, crashing into the outside wall. This incident damaged his right-side suspension, pushing him onto the apron and back onto the wall on the short stretch between Turns 1 and 2. Despite the accident, Larson was able to walk away unscathed, thankfully.

Although this crash ate into his track time, it's better that it happened during the testing rather than during qualifying, the race, or even practice leading up to the 500. Larson acknowledged his mistake, commenting that he ran out of space entering Turn 1.

Indy Motor Speedway is known for its tricky twists and turns, and even the best drivers in history have felt its sting. Not long after Larson's mishap, two-time Indy 500 champ Takuma Sato also had a close encounter with the wall, sustaining significant damage but escaping injury. Sato shared that he simply lost control of his car, something that can happen even to the best drivers.

Much like Larson, Sato is likely pleased to have made those errors sooner rather than later.

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[1] Kyle Larson's 2025 Open Test: Setbacks and Progress - the race to recovery begins[2] Kyle Larson reflects on first IndyCar crash during open testing[3] Kyle Larson's frustrations continue during Indy 500 open test[4] Kyle Larson undergoes evaluation following Turn 1 crash[5] Arrow McLaren working to refine setup after Larson's testing crash - Indy 500 readiness in question

In the 2025 IndyCar season, Larson will be competing in the Indy 500 with a new hybrid power unit, a beneficial addition that, despite posing challenges, promises to revolutionize sports racing and auto-racing.
Despite Larson's impressive performance on Day 1 of the 109th Indy 500 open test, he encountered a setback on Day 2, resulting in a crash at Turn 1 that led to damage to his right-side suspension.
Recognizing the importance of testing before the race, Larson is determined to bounce back from his crash and maintain his competitive edge in the Indy 500.
To ensure Larson's readiness for the 109th Indy 500, the Arrow McLaren team is presently working tirelessly to refine the setup of Larson's hybrid-powered Indy car, with an aim to help him overcome the challenges posed by the new technology and avoid future incidents during the race.