After a disappointing attempt at The Double in May, Kyle Larson gets redemption at Indianapolis and wins his first Brickyard 400 and eleventh for Hendrick Motorsports.
After what can only be called a disappointing ending to the Hendrick Double in May, Kyle Larson got to kiss the bricks as the winner of the 30th running of the Brickyard 400. He becomes the fourth Hendrick Motorsports driver to win for Rick Hendrick and the eleventh win for the organization.
Mrs. Hendrick will be adding another lucky charm. 😍 pic.twitter.com/mvAbdQGIgP
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) July 22, 2024
Driving the paint scheme he was slated to drive in Charlotte, which never took place due to weather. Larson qualified that car fifth. He was runner-up in the first stage to Denny Hamlin, and outside of the stage points in the second.
The final run to the checkered was a three-way battle between Larson, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski. The three had broken away from the pack and the #5 was chopping away each car with ten laps to go. Kyle Busch’s spin into the wall would send the field into overtime.
Trouble for @KyleBusch in the closing laps! pic.twitter.com/Vs9lBM95SF
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 21, 2024
Keselowski, who was running out of fuel, pulled onto pit road, giving Ryan Blaney the control for the restart. In what is the first of the controversial calls by NASCAR, some say Larson restarted ahead of Blaney. Finally, on the second overtime attempt, Larson got ahead of Tyler Reddick, when Ryan Preece spun and ran out of fuel. The white flag was displayed before the yellow was thrown, ending the race and crowning Larson the winner.
No one celebrates a win quite like @KyleLarsonRacin. 😉 pic.twitter.com/mIU3QIJuVI
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 21, 2024
Redemption for the Double:
Kyle Larson announced in 2023 that he, Hendrick Motorsports, and Arrow McLaren would partner together to put an IndyCar together for Larson to attempt the double in 2024. He would test multiple times, building this excitement for the Indy 500. The Cup car was painted with McLaren papaya and Hendrick blue matching the IndyCar.
Larson excelled in qualifying, making the Fast Six and starting fifth for the 500. He would get in a helicopter and fly to North Wilkesboro to compete in the All-Star Race. The entire #5 team was in Indianapolis to watch Carb Day. Larson running the double built up this excitement around Memorial Day weekend.
All the excitement would be killed by rain. An early morning thunderstorm in Indy would delay the start of the 500 and put backup driver Justin Allgaier in the car for the start of the Coke 600. Larson would have a speeding penalty and finish 18th in the Indianapolis 500. He was immediately airborne and on his way to Charlotte.
The weather would impact the Coke 600 as well. Rain would hit after the halfway point, red-flagging the race. Larson was on the ground ready to hop in his Camaro when NASCAR called the race over. An incredibly disappointing ending to one of the most exciting storylines in motorsport this year.
Well, the #5 team came this weekend seeking redemption for what happened in May. Larson on the last green flag run had the best car in the field. Even with the late cautions and the eventual race-ending call, the fastest car at the Brickyard, won the race.
Teasing a return to Indianapolis:
In his post-race interview, Larson mentioned returning to the speedway next May. Larson said “How about we come back next May and try and kiss these bricks with the IndyCar” and “See y’all next May”. He mentioned they are working out the details and an announcement should be coming shortly.
Larson’s contract with McLaren is understood to be for both 2024 and 2025. But it is a double-edged sword. The double brought eyes to both IndyCar and NASCAR and a new excitement for the 500. It also brought controversy in how it finished.
I believe it was Rick Allen on the NBC Broadcast who said, ‘If Larson wants to do it again, who is there to say no’. I expect to see Larson attempt the Double again in 2025.
