The Arrow McLaren IndyCar team announced on Thursday that they have partnered with 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson and his NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick to enter the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2024.
Larson who will race the HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet and speaking about the news, he said:
I’m super excited. Competing at the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time – since I was a child before I ever began competing in sprint cars. To do it with Arrow McLaren and Mr. Hendrick especially is a dream come true. I’m grateful for the opportunity and am really looking forward to it even though it’s still about a year-and-a-half away. I’m really looking forward to competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 and maybe even get a win or two that day.”
For Rick Hendrick it is his first time venturing into the NTT IndyCar Series as an owner and speaking about today’s announcement, he said:
Having the opportunity to support Kyle, partner with an elite team like Arrow McLaren and promote HendrickCars.com in one of the world’s great auto racing events is truly unique. All of us are competitors. Putting Kyle in top-level equipment and allowing ample time for him to prepare for such a difficult challenge was important. It’s going to be very, very special to field a Chevrolet in the Indy 500 as a car owner. A collaboration like this was what we needed to make it happen, and fortunately the stars aligned. We’re 100% committed to doing it right and look forward to working with Zak and his organization.”
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown commented saying:
Adding Kyle Larson with a HendrickCars.com partnership to the Indy 500 lineup in 2024 is exciting for our Arrow McLaren team as well as for race fans. He’s a complete driver, known for racing anything on wheels, so I’m looking forward to seeing what Kyle can do in an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car. It’s been great working with Rick Hendrick and (Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman) Jeff Gordon to pull this together, so a big thank you to them for what’s to come in May 2024.”
Gavin Ward, Racing Director of Arrow McLaren commented saying:
Kyle’s ability and desire to compete across so many disciplines of motor racing is as rare today as it is refreshing. He’s one of the best dirt track racers on the planet. He’s a NASCAR Cup champion. He’s won a Rolex 24 at Daytona. He’s an incredibly talented driver and has shown his ability to win no matter what he’s racing. I can’t think of a more exciting addition to Arrow McLaren’s 2024 Indy 500 lineup. We’re all racers on this team, and we’re going to give it everything to make sure this endeavour is as successful as possible.”
Arrow McLaren has a busy 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season ahead with the addition of a third car full-time for Alexander Rossi who joins Felix Rosenqvist and Pato O’Ward while they have also added IndyCar veteran Tony Kanaan to their lineup for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 28.