Latest news with #TonyKanaan
Indianapolis Star
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis 500 rain delay? Start of 2025 Indy 500 delayed due to light rain at IMS
Race officials delayed the start of the 2025 Indy 500 with a light shower in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway area. It's nothing like in 2024, when a storm struck shortly after noon and delayed the race start for 4 hours. The delay could throw a kink into Kyle Larson's plans to drive the Indy 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 tonight. He has said he will prioritize the Cup race, so he may have to leave his Indy car early if the race is pushed back too much. He could also forgo the Indy race for reserve Tony Kanaan, the 2013 race winner. The race is official after 101 laps, so 90 minutes of favorable weather can be enough. Live leaderboard: Indianapolis 500 updates today: Crashes, results The race was shortened and/or postponed by weather 12 times in 107 editions of the race. 2007: Dario Franchitti, 160 laps, 400 miles completed 2004: Buddy Rice, 180 laps, 450 miles completed 1997: Arie Luyendyk; the race was rained out on May 25, stopped after 15 laps on May 26, and completed May 27. 1986: Bobby Rahal; the race was rained out on May 25 and 26, and run on May 31. 1976: Johnny Rutherford, 102 laps, 255 miles completed 1975: Bobby Unser, 174 laps, 435 miles completed 1973: Gordon Johncock, 133 laps, 332.25 miles completed; weather issues interrupted the race on three consecutive days. 1967: A.J. Foyt; the race was rained out after 18 laps and completed the next day. 1950: Johnnie Parsons, 138 laps, 345 miles completed 1940: Wilbur Shaw; the final 50 laps were run under caution because of light rain. 1926: Frank Lockhart, 160 laps, 400 miles completed
Japan Times
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Times
'True racer' Kyle Larson gears up for Indy-Charlotte Double
For the second year in a row, Kyle Larson will attempt one of the rarest feats in all of sports: racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. Two of the most prestigious races in the world. Six hundred total laps, 1,100 miles. This Sunday, Larson will attempt to become just the second driver of the five who have attempted the Double to finish all 1,100 miles on a single day. If he does so, he'll join Tony Stewart, who in 2021 finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500 and third in the Coca-Cola 600. After Larson qualified 21st for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, there is reason to believe he is better situated to pull off the Double than a year ago. For one, Mother Nature may cooperate this time around. In 2024, the Indy 500 was weather-delayed, forcing Larson to make the choice to race at Indy and miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. When Larson eventually made it to Charlotte Motor Speedway, the race was in a rain delay and eventually was called before Larson had the chance to turn a single lap. Larson has made it clear that the Cup Series is his priority should weather make the logistics an issue again. If he has to leave Indianapolis early, it'll be 2013 Indy 500 winner and 2004 IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan filling Larson's seat while Larson jets to Charlotte. Kanaan, 50, completed the required refresher course at Indianapolis on May 15. While he's rarely behind the wheel himself anymore, the team principal of Arrow McLaren had high praise for Larson as the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion readies for his second crack at the Indy 500. "Kyle's a true racer," Kanaan said. "I don't think I need to sit here and talk about his qualities because I think the results show it. Kyle's biggest advantage is he adapts pretty quickly because he races everything. "I truly admire him as a racer," Kanaan continued. "To me, (he's) one of the biggest talents we've ever seen around the world." The respect those in the IndyCar industry have for Larson is indicative of his renown as a versatile driver. Whether it be a Cup Series car on Sunday, a Chevrolet Silverado in a NASCAR Truck Series race or a sprint car, Larson's versatility has put his name into the conversation as one of the world's best all-around race drivers. This year, the preparations are just as time-consuming as they were in 2024. A full week of practice at Indianapolis was followed by Indy 500 qualifying on the same weekend as the NASCAR All-Star Race. While Larson qualified at Indianapolis, defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier turned laps in Larson's No. 5 at North Wilkesboro. After appearing in the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, Larson's focus turns back to Indy, where he has two more practice sessions in order to dial in his No. 17 Chevrolet for the Indianapolis 500. Larson admitted that reacclimating to an IndyCar is a difficult task after a year away from the cockpit. But his practice results — 24th on May 13, 13th on May 14 and 17th on May 15 — indicate a driver that is getting back into the IndyCar saddle with confidence and poise. 2024 saw Larson finish the Indianapolis 500 in 18th after a pit road speeding penalty. With a year of Indy 500 experience under his belt, however, don't be surprised if Larson finishes inside the top 15. His No. 17 clearly has some speed, and as Kanaan said, Larson's adaptability makes him a threat to win no matter the vehicle he's in. That said, even the world's best drivers aren't immune to mistakes. Larson crashed in both the open test in April and in practice on May 15. Another crash in the Indy 500 itself would dash the hope of Larson completing all 1,100 miles. Even if the Indianapolis 500 doesn't go Larson's way, the Coca-Cola 600 should bear much more fruit for the 32-year-old driver. Larson won the event in 2021, and along with being arguably the best driver in the Cup Series, he's already won thrice in 2025, including the last Cup Series points race at Kansas. If Larson can make it to the end of the Coke 600, he'll likely be in the mix for the win. Provided that Mother Nature plays nice and affords Larson the opportunity to compete in both races, one of the biggest talents in racing may finally give Tony Stewart some company.
Reuters
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
'True racer' Kyle Larson gears up for Indy-Charlotte Double
May 19 - For the second year in a row, Kyle Larson will attempt one of the rarest feats in all of sports: racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. Two of the most prestigious races in the world. Six hundred total laps, 1,100 miles. This Sunday, Larson will attempt to become just the second driver of the five who have attempted the Double to finish all 1,100 miles on a single day. If he does so, he'll join Tony Stewart, who in 2021 finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500 and third in the Coca-Cola 600. After Larson qualified 21st for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, there is reason to believe he is better situated to pull off the Double than a year ago. For one, Mother Nature may cooperate this time around. In 2024, the Indy 500 was weather-delayed, forcing Larson to make the choice to race at Indy and miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. When Larson eventually made it to Charlotte Motor Speedway, the race was in a rain delay and eventually was called before Larson had the chance to turn a single lap. Larson has made it clear that the Cup Series is his priority should weather make the logistics an issue again. If he has to leave Indianapolis early, it'll be 2013 Indy 500 winner and 2004 IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan filling Larson's seat while Larson jets to Charlotte. Kanaan, 50, completed the required refresher course at Indianapolis on May 15. While he's rarely behind the wheel himself anymore, the team principal of Arrow McLaren had high praise for Larson as the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion readies for his second crack at the Indy 500. "Kyle's a true racer," Kanaan said. "I don't think I need to sit here and talk about his qualities because I think the results show it. Kyle's biggest advantage is he adapts pretty quickly because he races everything. "I truly admire him as a racer," Kanaan continued. "To me, (he's) one of the biggest talents we've ever seen around the world." The respect those in the IndyCar industry have for Larson is indicative of his renown as a versatile driver. Whether it be a Cup Series car on Sunday, a Chevrolet Silverado in a NASCAR Truck Series race or a sprint car, Larson's versatility has put his name into the conversation as one of the world's best all-around race drivers. This year, the preparations are just as time-consuming as they were in 2024. A full week of practice at Indianapolis was followed by Indy 500 qualifying on the same weekend as the NASCAR All-Star Race. While Larson qualified at Indianapolis, defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier turned laps in Larson's No. 5 at North Wilkesboro. After appearing in the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday, Larson's focus turns back to Indy, where he has two more practice sessions in order to dial in his No. 17 Chevrolet for the Indianapolis 500. Larson admitted that reacclimating to an IndyCar is a difficult task after a year away from the cockpit. But his practice results -- 24th on May 13, 13th on May 14 and 17th on May 15 -- indicate a driver that is getting back into the IndyCar saddle with confidence and poise. 2024 saw Larson finish the Indianapolis 500 in 18th after a pit road speeding penalty. With a year of Indy 500 experience under his belt, however, don't be surprised if Larson finishes inside the top 15. His No. 17 clearly has some speed, and as Kanaan said, Larson's adaptability makes him a threat to win no matter the vehicle he's in. That said, even the world's best drivers aren't immune to mistakes. Larson crashed in both the open test in April and in practice on May 15. Another crash in the Indy 500 itself would dash the hope of Larson completing all 1,100 miles. Even if the Indianapolis 500 doesn't go Larson's way, the Coca-Cola 600 should bear much more fruit for the 32-year-old driver. Larson won the event in 2021, and along with being arguably the best driver in the Cup Series, he's already won thrice in 2025, including the last Cup Series points race at Kansas. If Larson can make it to the end of the Coke 600, he'll likely be in the mix for the win. Provided that Mother Nature plays nice and affords Larson the opportunity to compete in both races, one of the biggest talents in racing may finally give Tony Stewart some company. --Samuel Stubbs, Field Level Media
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Indy 500 driver Marcus Armstrong taken away on stretcher after heavy crash in qualifying practice
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Marcus Armstrong was taken away on a stretcher after a heavy crash in practice for Indianapolis 500 qualifying, and it was unclear who would get into Meyer Shank Racing's backup car even if it was ready to make a four-lap run later Saturday. The 24-year-old from New Zealand hit the wall going into Turn 1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where winds gusting to nearly 30 mph made for treacherous conditions as the cars approached 240 mph at the end of the long front stretch. Armstrong was able to climb from his wrecked car but was immediately helped onto a stretcher. He gave a thumbs up as he was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the infield care center, where he was released about 90 minutes later. 'He is awake. He is alert. He's doing well,' said Dr. Julia Vaizer, the medical director for IndyCar and the speedway. Meyer Shank Racing immediately began working on its backup car, even though it was uncertain who would drive it when the nearly 7-hour qualifying window opened later in the day. The team was getting help from Chip Ganassi Racing, which has a close working relationship with its fellow Honda-powered team. If Armstrong is unable to qualify the No. 66, there are few options available. Tony Kanaan is the only driver to complete the refresher course, but he is the team principal for Arrow McLaren, and completed it so that his team would have a backup should NASCAR star Kyle Larson have to abandon the May 25 race to make it to the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. There is also a conflict of interest between the Chevrolet-powered Arrow McLaren team and the Honda teams. Other backup drivers could conceivably complete the refresher Sunday, allowing them to get into the car. But without making a run Saturday, the best they could do would be to nail down one of the final three spots on the 33-car starting grid. 'It looked a bit weird, to be honest,' Armstrong's teammate, Felix Rosenqvist, said of the crash. 'I haven't seen any updates or anything. I just tried to look at the screen while I was sitting in the car. Hopefully they can bounce back quickly.' ___ AP auto racing:
National Post
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
Indy 500 driver Marcus Armstrong taken away on stretcher after heavy crash in qualifying practice
Article content INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Marcus Armstrong was taken away on a stretcher after a heavy crash in practice for Indianapolis 500 qualifying, and it was unclear who would get into Meyer Shank Racing's backup car even if it was ready to make a four-lap run later Saturday. Article content Article content The 24-year-old from New Zealand hit the wall going into Turn 1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where winds gusting to nearly 30 mph made for treacherous conditions as the cars approached 240 mph at the end of the long front stretch. Article content Armstrong was able to climb from his wrecked car after it finally came to rest on the track, but he was immediately helped onto a stretcher. He gave a thumbs up as he was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the infield care center. Article content 'He is awake. He is alert. He's doing well,' said Dr. Julia Vaizer, the medical director for IndyCar and the speedway. Article content Meyer Shank Racing immediately began working on its backup car, even though it was uncertain who would drive it when the nearly 7-hour qualifying window opened later in the day. The team was getting help from Chip Ganassi Racing, which has a close working relationship with its fellow Honda-powered team. Article content If Armstrong is unable to qualify the No. 66, there are few options available. Tony Kanaan is the only driver to complete the refresher course, but he is the team principal for Arrow McLaren, and completed it so that his team would have a backup should NASCAR star Kyle Larson have to abandon the May 25 race to make it to the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. Article content There is also a conflict of interest between the Chevrolet-powered Arrow McLaren team and the Honda teams. Article content Other backup drivers could conceivably complete the refresher Sunday, allowing them to get into the car. But without making a run Saturday, the best they could do would be to nail down one of the final three spots on the 33-car starting grid. Article content 'It looked a bit weird, to be honest,' Armstrong's teammate, Felix Rosenqvist, said of the crash. 'I haven't seen any updates or anything. I just tried to look at the screen while I was sitting in the car. Hopefully they can bounce back quickly.' Article content
