Kyle Larson Out of Indy 500 After Crash

Kyle Larson’s Indianapolis 500 run ended early after a dramatic three-car crash on lap 93 of the race. Larson, piloting the No. 17 Chevrolet, got caught up in trouble following a restart.

As he exited Turn 2, Larson appeared to downshift, lost control, and spun back across the packed field. The spin made contact with Kyffin Simpson’s car, and moments later, Sting Ray Robb was sent hard into the inside barrier after hitting the outside wall.

All three drivers exited their cars without injury. Larson had been trying to pull off an ambitious double—the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Rain earlier in the day postponed the Indianapolis start by about an hour, pushing back Larson’s tight travel plans to Charlotte Motor Speedway for NASCAR’s event. With the crash taking place well before halfway, Larson could still catch his flight as planned.

He needed to be airborne by 4:30 p.m. local time to join the NASCAR field for driver introductions at 5:25 p.m. in North Carolina. The incident was part of a busy afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

By the race’s midpoint, five cars had already retired. Pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman, Rinus VeeKay, Alexander Rossi, Marco Andretti, and Scott McLaughlin were all out due to separate incidents including pit lane collisions, brake failure, and crashes.

Ryan Hunter-Reay led as the field shuffled strategies, while Alex Palou held net track position in sixth place. Josef Newgarden ran in ninth but was expected to climb once the next round of pit stops cycled through.

Larson’s attempt at double duty made headlines throughout the month. His start was delayed during both practice and race weekend by inclement weather, adding more obstacles to an already difficult challenge. His practice was closely followed by fans and analysts alike.

Larson’s performance in qualifying at Indianapolis earned him attention as he set quick lap times. However, Sunday’s crash ended his IndyCar hopes for the year.

Despite frustration, Larson’s early exit was a relief for his NASCAR plans. NASCAR rules grant an exemption for drivers competing in other major events, so Larson remained eligible to start the Coke 600 from his original qualifying position.

This was true even though he missed the pre-race meeting in Charlotte. This unique day continued the tradition of drivers attempting motorsports doubles, a feat last attempted in full by Kurt Busch over a decade ago. Larson’s place in this elite group affirms his standing among top competitors in the sport.

As the Indy 500 pushed toward its conclusion, Larson and his team quickly shifted focus to the upcoming NASCAR race. His elimination from the Indianapolis race served as a reminder of the risks and unpredictability of taking on such an ambitious schedule.

The day ended with anticipation for Larson’s next challenge back on the stock car stage, as the racing world watched both events closely.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.