Kyle Larson Says ‘It Would Really Hurt’ To Hit The Wall At Indy After 220 MPH Rookie Test
Kyle Larson successfully finished his rookie orientation program for the Indy 500 on Thursday afternoon.
Larson progressed up to speeds reaching 220 mph in his Arrow McLaren on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval.
“The speed and the grip didn’t feel scarier, thankfully, than I though it might,” Larson said during a post-test press conference.
It was Larson’s first time behind the wheel of an IndyCar, and he said the biggest surprises were how much it pulled to the right and how slow the steering is, but he didn’t seem to be too phased by the speed, which is about 25 mph faster than the NASCAR Cup Series cars hit on the track.
“When you’re out there by yourself, and this track is so smooth, it doesn’t feel like you’re going 220, or it doesn’t feel any different than going like 195 at Daytona,” Larson said.
“I did look at the wall one time, thinking like, ‘man, that would really hurt if I hit it.'”
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He actually said it was the low speed pit lane work he’s going to need to get used to.
Larson will return to the track for more testing next April ahead of qualifying and the Indy 500 in late May.
Now, he’s off to Las Vegas for the first race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of Eight, where he sits fourth in the standings as he looks to win his second Cup Series title.
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