UDPATE 2: As rain showers continue to move through the Indianapolis area, day two of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Open Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been canceled, concluding the test.
During day one Wednesday, the Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program and veteran refresher laps were completed, along with veteran testing. Combined, 34 drivers turned a total of 1,327 laps in sessions that featured adjusted start times in anticipation of weather.
Teams will return to IMS on Friday, May 10 for practice and qualifying ahead of the Sonsio Grand Prix on Saturday, May 11 on the IMS road course. Practice for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge is scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 14, with the race scheduled for Sunday, May 26.
— IMS —
UPDATE 4-9-2024: Josef Newgarden must like the view from the top at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as he was fastest Wednesday in the rain-shortened first day of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge Open Test.
…
The first day of testing, which featured separate sessions for veterans, and Rookie Orientation Program and refresher tests, was halted numerous times by passing raindrops, including one midday delay of 67 minutes. Heavier showers arrived shortly after 2 p.m. ET to end on-track activity.
Testing is scheduled to resume from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Thursday, with live coverage in the United States on Peacock and live international coverage on INDYCAR LIVE.
While it was little surprise to see NTT INDYCAR SERIES oval master Newgarden atop the speed chart, the second-fastest driver raised eyebrows and anticipation in equal measure. 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson clocked in second at 226.384 in the No. 17 Hendrickcars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet as he prepares for his first start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” while also attempting the “Hendrick 1100” double of racing at Indy and in the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26.
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway —
ORIGINAL POST 4-8-2024: Kyle Larson will enter the next phase in his bid for his Indianapolis 500 debut this week when Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts a two-day open test.
Larson will be among the entrants for Wednesday and Thursday sessions in preparation for the 108th running of the 500-mile event on May 26. The Hendrick Motorsports driver will attempt to run two historic races on the same day, traveling from Indianapolis that afternoon to compete in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway that evening.
This week’s test will mark the third on-track session for Larson in an IndyCar. He successfully completed rookie orientation at the Speedway last October, then participated in a test with his Arrow McLaren team at Phoenix Raceway in February.
— NASCAR.com —
AND: Dozens of individuals will be involved next month when NASCAR champion Kyle Larson attempts to become the latest driver to run the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, two of motorsports’ landmark races, on the same day.
One man, however, will be closer to the extended action than most. Tyler Monn, who has been Larson’s spotter for the past four seasons in the Cup Series, also will serve as the driver’s spotter at Indy, putting him in Larson’s ear for potentially 1,100 miles of racing May 26.
— Autoweek —