NASCAR star Kyle Larson takes to IMS for crucial Indy 500 testing alongside seasoned veterans and rookies

Modified Apr 23, 2025 19:04 IST

The 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 - Source: Getty — Kyle Larson, driver of the #17 Hendrickcars.com Arrow McLaren, stands on the grid during the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024 - Source: Getty

This year, NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, will be attempting to compete in the Indy 500 as well as the Coca-Cola 600, both taking place on the same day, i.e. May 25th. For the race at the Indianapolis 500, Larson will be driving the #17 Arrow-McLaren, which he will be getting into later today for a testing session along with 33 other drivers at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with the Cup Series driver will be testing alongside the rookies later on in the day, while veteran drivers get first crack at the open testing period.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver will participate in the two-day testing session, taking place today from 10:05 A.M. EST onwards, and tomorrow, from 12:30 P.M. EST. Fox Sports Journalist Bob Pockrass shared the details of today's agenda to his X (formerly Twitter) account earlier today.

"The morning 10am session is for veterans and then a noon session for rookies and those who need to do a refresher (like Larson) and then all cars later in the afternoon."

Expand Tweet

This is the second time that Kyle Larson will be attempting to do the double race endeavour. Last year, the HMS driver chose to run the Indy 500 to completion, starting the race in fifth place and crossing the line to take 18th, after it started four hours late due to the weather. Meanwhile, in Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, Justin Allgaier was piloting Larson's vehicle until he got there, but by the time he did, it began raining over the track there as well, and with half the race already run, NASCAR decided not to restart the event, bringing an end to #5 driver's plans.

This year, Larson will try again, driving alongside Arrow-McLaren teammates Pato O'Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard first, then heading to the Charlotte Motor Speedway to drive his #5 car to run the second event.

Where and when to watch Kyle Larson's IndyCar testing session

Kyle Larson, driver of the #17 Hendrickcars.com Arrow McLaren, leads a pack of cars during the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 26, 2024 - Source: Getty

The schedule for today and tomorrow's testing is:

Open Test Schedule, April 23

9:00 AM: Gates open
10:05 AM – 12:00 PM: Veteran oval drivers testing
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Rookie Orientation Program and oval refresher tests (Featuring Kyle Larson)
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Open testing for all drivers and teams
6:00 PM: Gates closed

Open Test Schedule, April 24

9:00 AM: Gates open
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM: High boost session (increased engine boost levels, similar to Fast Friday)
12:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Open testing for all drivers and teams
6:00 PM: Gates closed

Both testing sessions can be watched via the live stream on the NTT INDYCAR Series YouTube channel, which will be a raw feed with no commentary or play-by-play by any broadcasters.

About the author

Siddharth Koyal is an F1 and NASCAR journalist at Sportskeeda with a background in Cinema & Media Studies. His academic journey, centered on crafting analytical essays and in-depth critiques, honed his writing skills and solidified his love for storytelling. Combining his expertise in writing with a lifelong passion for Formula 1, Siddharth brings insightful and engaging content to readers, blending analytical precision with a fan’s enthusiasm.

With four years of professional experience, Siddharth has worked in diverse roles, including as a Telephone Interviewer at York University and a Wholesale Trade Manager at Brands By Bravo. These experiences sharpened his skills in communication, research, and management, which he now leverages to craft compelling narratives about the world of motorsports.

Siddharth stays up-to-date on the latest developments in motorsports by following credible news sources, team press releases, and motorsport governing bodies. He also engages actively with the vibrant F1 community on platforms like Twitter, where drivers, teams, and fans drive dynamic conversations. A fan of Nico Hulkenberg, he draws inspiration from the driver's resilience and dependability, traits he seeks to emulate in his work.

Outside of writing, Siddharth is an avid film and TV enthusiast and enjoys playing video games. At Sportskeeda, he aims to be a trusted source for readers, delivering accurate and thought-provoking content about the ever-evolving world of motorsports.

Know More

Edited by pranavsethii