Kyle Larson Open to Full Indy 500 Commitment After NASCAR Career
2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for testing ahead of the 2025 Indy 500—the race’s 109th edition—and he’s hinting at a future where the iconic event could become his primary focus.
Widely regarded as one of NASCAR’s most adaptable drivers—even throwing down a challenge to F1 legend Max Verstappen—Larson is back for his second attempt at the Indy 500. While his NASCAR career remains his priority for now, he admits that a shift in focus could happen if he ever steps away from the Cup Series.
Speaking to Forbes following the test session, Larson was candid about his future.
“I haven’t really sat down with anyone to have that conversation, so I don’t know,” he said. “It’s hard to fully answer right now.”
Still, the appeal of a dedicated run at the Indy 500 lingers in his mind.
“I’m approaching this as if it’s the last one for the foreseeable future,” Larson said. “But I’m still young. I told Dale Jr. on his podcast that if I ever step away from full-time Cup racing, I’d love to pour all my energy into this and do it right.”
And if he manages to win the race?
“I might just ride off into the sunset,” he joked.
The legendary race’s pull is hard to resist, and Larson admits it could become a recurring draw.
“It’s such an incredible event. If you skip it after experiencing it, I think the FOMO would be real—you’d want to come back. But it’s tough to say for sure right now.”
After nearly a year away from IndyCar, Larson welcomed the return to the cockpit—even if it came with some adjustment.
“It felt good to be back,” he said. “It hadn’t been that long, so I thought it would all feel normal, but it actually took a little time to get back in rhythm.”
He noted the major differences between NASCAR and IndyCar, especially when it came to steering controls and the hybrid-powered cars.
“Going through ROP (Rookie Orientation Program) helped because jumping straight into full throttle would’ve been tough. The car handles differently now with the added weight from the hybrid system. It doesn’t quite have the same balance I felt last year.”
Larson also admitted he needed time to shake off a bit of rust.
“I felt fine overall, but I was rusty on some details—hitting the right buttons, setting up the dash quickly. It was good to work through all that again.”
Last year, Larson impressed in his Indy 500 debut, qualifying fifth and finishing 18th, earning Rookie of the Year honors. The question now is whether he can build on that performance and push even further in 2025.
