Kyle Larson Second Quickest at Indianapolis 500 Test

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Leave it to a NASCAR driver to be the talk of an IndyCar test.

Kyle Larson stole the show and nearly topped the speed chart on the first day of a two-day IndyCar test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who will be attempting to race in the Indianapolis 500 in a Rick Hendrick-backed Arrow McLaren entry, was second-quickest in the field of 34 drivers.

Only 2023 Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden was quicker on the day.

Newgarden posted the quickest lap with an average speed of 228.811 mph in the first of two practice sessions, while Larson was next at 226.384. Scott Dixon, Alex Palou and Colton Herta rounded out the day's top-5.

Herta posted his top speed in the day's second session to top that chart. Larson was 12th quickest in the second session.

Rookies Kyffin and Christian Rasmussen each completed the most laps on Wednesday with 80. Larson turned 47 laps, while Newgarden turned 46.

Larson was one of seven rookies in action. He was joined on the track by Nolan Siegel, Tom Blomqvist, Linus Lundqvist, Marcus Armstrong, Kyffin and Rasmussen.

The practice field also included four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. The 500 is the only race on his schedule in 2024. He was 25th quickest.

On May 26, Larson will attempt to become just the fifth driver to race in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The most recent driver to accomplish the feat was Kurt Busch in 2014.

Tony Stewart, in 2001, is the only driver who has completed the full distance—1,100 miles—in both races on the same day. Others who tried, but came up short in completing both races are Busch, John Andretti and Robby Gordon.