Kyle Larson's absence from Indy 500 a "huge relief" for Arrow McLaren boss

NASCAR champion Kyle Larson raced with Arrow McLaren at the 2025 Indy 500 as he attempted the double (Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600). However, for the 2026 Indy 500, Ryan Hunter-Reay was announced as the Arrow McLaren entry, and Larson’s absence came as a huge relief for the team principal, Tony Kanaan.

Kyle Larson attempted the double for a couple of seasons in 2024 and 2025. However, after the 2025 attempt, the NASCAR star came out and revealed that he wouldn't be attempting the double in the future, given the logistics and the change in NASCAR rules.

NASCAR introduced a rule change in 2025, which meant that the driver couldn't miss a race until there was a medical reason or an emergency, and if they do, their championship points would be nullified. As a result, Kyle Larson or any other driver couldn't miss a race (in this case, the Coca-Cola 600) because of a delay at the Indy 500.

With Larson prioritising the NASCAR event, Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan was selected as the reserve in case there was any delay and the Hendricks Motorsports driver had taken off for the Cup series race.

NASCAR Cup Series Championship - Source: Getty

However, with Arrow McLaren signing Ryan Hunter-Reay for the 110th running of the Indy 500, Tony Kanaan will be able to fully concentrate on the event as a Team Principal and not have to worry about stepping into the car. Speaking about the same, he said,

“Well, huge relief, Bruce. I don't want to sound ungrateful, because, I mean, I drove the car again last year for a few laps. I would do that any day of my life, but it's helping us to focus now, me, the team, him. To be fair, it was a difficult spot. I'm, like, I don't understand how I'm running the place, but I can't make that decision not to be in the race car.”

“I thought that I've been through every single scare moment, tense, nervousness before a 500 in my 26 years. The way I felt last year, I don't want to ever feel it again when Rocket called me. I was on the grid, dressed like this. He says, Do you have your stuff ready? That there, I was never more frightened in my entire life. I wasn't ready mentally and everything else,” added Kanaan

---

When Kyle Larson detailed the reason for not attempting the double

Kyle Larson crashed at the 2025 Indy 500, was taken to the medical centre before flying to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, where he crashed once again. During the 2024 double attempt, a rain delay at Indianapolis put his chances of completing the double to an end.

Speaking about how tough he double is and the reason for not attempting it, he said,

“The Double is just a tough undertaking. I think the window of time is too tight. Even if I didn’t wreck (at Indy), I don’t think I would have made it here in time and probably would have had to end that race short anyway. I just don’t really think it’s worth it, but I would love to run the Indy 500 again. Just doing the Double, I think, is just logistically too tough,” he added

Despite the double disappointment, Kyle Larson went on to claim the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship.