You expected that Kyle Larson, despite being a rookie in NTT IndyCar Series competition, was going to impress in his first-career Indianapolis 500 start. While we have a long way to go before crowning Larson's debut as a success, the Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Cup Series star impressed on the opening day of a two-day Open Test Session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Larson, 31, was the second-fastest driver on the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway scoring pylon with a 226.384 mph lap. Larson's lap in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet did come after utilizing the draft of other cars.
Wednesday's session was all about learning what an IndyCar does in traffic and dirty air.
“Getting in some traffic and feeling the turbulent air,” Larson said following the session. “The first time I got in traffic, I think my tires still had good grip, so I was surprised. It didn’t feel that different in traffic. Then the last time, I was building understeer, and Newgarden got by me and I was super tight behind him.
“I’m just trying to learn all that and process all that and knowing what I can do in the car to cope with that. I’m just trying to figure out any bit of racecraft today, which I know is tough. Just get notes in my head and all that.”
In all, Larson completed 47 laps in the veteran oval drivers portion of the session. Additional time on track was washed out as heavy rain swept the 2.5-mile speedway around 2 PM ET.
Larson will attempt the "Hendrick 1,100" on Memorial Day weekend as he'll run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The California native will mark the first driver to attempt the Indy 500 / Coca-Cola 600 double since Kurt Busch pulled off the feat in 2014.
Fastest on the speed charts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday was Josef Newgarden, the defending Indianapolis 500 champion.
The driver of the No. 2 PPG Team Penske Chevrolet cranked out a fast lap of 228.811 mph. By pacing Wednesday's Open Test session, Newgarden has now held the distinction of being fastest in the opening day of Open testing in each of the last three years.
A stat that the driver had no idea about going into the day.
“We’re not trying to do it because I had no idea,” Newgarden laughed. “I didn’t know it was three years in a row. We want to check off things on our list. Obviously, it’s been right at the front, which is a good sign.”
Behind Newgarden and Larson on the speed charts was Scott Dixon in third.
Day Two of the Indianapolis 500 Open Testing is scheduled for Thursday from 10:00 AM ET to 4:00 PM ET. Coverage of the session will be provided on Peacock.
Photo Credit: Penske Entertainment: Walt Kuhn
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