While the race isn’t until May, we have odds for the 2024 Indianapolis 500 including Kyle Larson’s chances to win in his debut. It’s going to be tough to finish in the top-10, but there’s always a chance the NASCAR star pulls off the unthinkable.
Kyle Larson is taking on the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. NASCAR has already changed the rules to allow Larson to qualify at Charlotte despite missing the drivers meeting.
The drivers meeting isn’t as important as it used to be. Larson has been in the Cup Series for 10 years now, he knows what the deal is. So, he will have better chances in the second leg of this endeavor.
However, when it comes to the Indianapolis 500, Kyle Larson has his work cut out for him. For one, he has to qualify for the race. That’s the big first step. Then he just has to best a very talented field to pull of one of the greatest upsets in motorsports history.
Draft Kings Sportsbook lists Larson at +2000 odds to win the Indy 500. He has the same odds as Felix Rosenqvist and Rinus Veekay. For reference, Rosenqvist and Veekay both have a win in IndyCar and both are former Rookie of the Year recipients in the series.
Defending IndyCar champion Alex Palou is the favorite to win The Greatest Spectacle in Racing at +550. Palou was the pole winner a year ago. Pato O’Ward is next at +650, followed by Scott Dixon and Josef Newgarden at +800, and Marcus Ericsson rounds out the top-five at +1000.
Does Kyle Larson have a real shot at winning? He will be in great equipment with Arrow McLaren and has all the talent in the world.
Kyle Larson facing two Supercars greats in one day
Here is a fun fact about Kyle Larson’s Double Duty attempt, he will race not just one, but two three-time Supercars champions. As Larson lines up on the grid for the Indy 500, he will be facing Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske. McLaughlin won three consecutive titles from 2018-2020.
Then, Larson will fly to Charlotte and he will be faced with Shane van Gisbergen. SVG, the Chicago Street Course winner in 2023, will be in his first-ever Coca-Cola 600. The New Zealander does have three Bathurst 1000 wins in his career. He’s no stranger to long races.
Just for fun, let’s throw in Agustin Canapino. The IndyCar driver from Argentina is a four-time champion in Turismo Carretera.
What does all of this mean? Well, not much other than Larson is in for an uphill battle. It does show that motorsports in America is continuing to grow. Having these Kiwi drivers and even some Aussies in the United States is good for IndyCar and NASCAR.
Ultimately, I think the point I’m making here is this: we talk about Kyle Larson being potentially the most talented driver in North America if not one of the top drivers in the entire world. Here he will have a chance to race two Supercars icons, not to mention the other accomplished drivers in both IndyCar and NASCAR.
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