Kyle Larson Crashes Hard in Intense Indy 500 Practice Run

Kyle Larson ran into bad luck during Fast Friday practice at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as he crashed while making a mock qualifying run for the Indy 500. Larson, driving the No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, waited late into the session to make his attempt, with only about 90 minutes remaining in practice.

High winds and changes from the new hybrid power system made the track challenging not just for Larson, but for everyone out there. Several teams chose to delay or bail on runs, hoping to avoid incidents before the crucial qualifying rounds. For more details on how hybrid technology is impacting motorsports, check out this explanation from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Shortly after starting his mock qualifying effort, Larson entered Turn 3 at speed. The car suddenly bottomed out, causing him to lose control.

He hit the outside wall with the nose, then spun and made additional contact in Turn 4. It wasn’t the outcome the team wanted, especially with just one more practice before qualifying.

Larson only completed three laps during the Friday session, with a top lap average of 214.223 mph. This crash comes not long after another incident in last month’s open test at the same track. For a deeper look into the physics of high-speed crashes, see this resource from MIT’s Motorsports Research.

After being checked and released by the medical team, Larson spoke about the accident. He said he was okay and described how the car caught him out with much more front grip than expected.

“It just kind of bit and I felt it come around. Once it snaps, it happens quick,” he explained. Larson admitted he was disappointed but kept things in perspective.

“At least we found both ends of the spectrum—last time I hit with the right front, today I backed it in,” he said. He remained optimistic about getting the car fixed and said track conditions should be better for the next practice.

The session had already seen a dramatic accident earlier when Kyffin Simpson crashed and briefly went airborne exiting Turn 4. Teams have had to adjust fast to the hybrid changes and unpredictable track behavior. For insights into aerodynamic challenges in racing, visit NASA’s aerodynamics research page.

Several top drivers have voiced concerns about how the cars handle under these conditions, and Friday’s action proved just how fine the margins are at 230 mph.

Larson told reporters he expects his crew to add more downforce to the car to keep it stable for the next practice. “Just to be safe,” he said, “we’ll make a few tweaks. I’m not worried.”

He also said he tends to get over setbacks quickly, focusing on what comes next rather than what just happened. Despite the crash, Larson and his engineers believe they will have the speed to compete when qualifying begins.

As the Indy 500 qualifying weekend arrives, Larson is expected to be back on track with a repaired car and a new approach. Teams only have one practice session left before their qualifying runs. For more on the history and significance of the Indy 500, explore the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s official page.

Fans and crews alike will be hoping for cleaner laps and fewer incidents so drivers can show their true pace before the big race on May 25.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.