Hendrick Motorsports driver and 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson got the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the No.6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet in Phoenix earlier this week as he ramped up his preparations for competing in the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 26 driving the No.17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
Larson will head to Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 later that evening. Speaking during a conference call following the test, Larson said:
Yeah, it was great to be able to test. Again, kind of like the Clash this last weekend for NASCAR, I was not expecting to race then, and I wasn’t expecting when I woke up yesterday that I was going to be running an INDYCAR. Had to kind of get my mind right to prepare myself for that.
Overall was pleased to get the test in. Great, great conditions with weather yesterday. Looks like it’s going to rain here shortly. Glad we were able to do that.
Yeah, I thought it went smooth. Got three or four hours in of laps, I think five sets of tires. Yeah, it was good to run through some things, get comfortable out there making laps, but get to do some pit stop sort of stuff. Got loose at one point and almost spun out, so that was good to kind of feel the limit there at slower speeds.
Kind of just worked through some balance stuff.
Speaking about the difference between the IMS rookie orientation process in October and the test Phoenix, Larson said:
Honestly, yesterday was probably more uncomfortable just because it’s a smaller track. Things are happening quicker. You’re having to lift off the throttle a little bit. At Indy, once we got through the different stages and stuff, we were wide open pretty easy by yourself. It was a cool day and all that.
Yesterday was fun to kind of have to work on the timing of the corner and work through some balance things because, yeah, I mean, the balance was definitely not perfect, which was good to feel.
At Indy, like I said, I’m out there by myself. They have downforce packed into it. I’m comfortable. Didn’t really feel much about the car changing there, so… It was good to feel the car not be quite perfect at times yesterday.
