Kyle Larson addresses Scott McLaughlin ‘thumbs-up’ controversy: ‘I was frustrated’

One of the biggest controversies from the Indianapolis 500 involved Kyle Larson giving a thumbs-up to Scott McLaughlin. The two have since talked it out, and the NASCAR and IndyCar stars are on good terms.

This week at Nashville Superspeedway, Kyle Larson was given the opportunity to address the situation. Scott McLaughlin has already spoken to the media and is ready to move on from the whole ordeal.

With the time constraints on the Double, the rain delay, and other setbacks, it was a lot of frustration for Larson. He said as much to the media on Saturday.

“Yeah, no, I felt really bad. You know, before I even knew that it hit the internet,” Kyle Larson said, via Peter Stratta of ABC 45 and TSJSports. “So, yeah, I was just, you know, I was frustrated because the rain was so light and the delay of the track drying when it was already dry. It took whatever it was, 45 minutes. Then we’re coming to get lights out to go green, and I see somebody crash. So, then I just kind of reacted, and you know, with more frustration, and yeah, I shouldn’t have done that.

“So, I wish, you know, it’s all of us. Everybody here, you know, everybody in life wishes they could go back and not do something or do something differently. That’s one of those moments for me, and I feel like I’m usually pretty good about not keying up or not doing gestures and stuff. But yeah, just kind of let my frustration get the best of me there. Was a bit embarrassing, and, you know, I felt bad. You know, you never want to see anybody crash out of the biggest race in the world before the green, and somebody who has always been super respectful to me and really nice to me. Yeah, I just didn’t even realize it was him until I was close to alongside of him. So, yeah, just wish I could have taken that back.”

Kyle Larson clearly regrets his gesture toward Scott McLaughlin. The Team Penske driver wrecked out before the green flag in the biggest, most important race of the season. No one wanted to see that happen.

The two drivers are on good terms. So, fans can move on, too. Neither Larson nor McLaughlin had career-best days at the track. Besides, they have to move on and keep doing their day jobs week in and week out.