Kyle Larson 'focused on Indy' ahead of Indianapolis 500 qualifying, NASCAR All-Star Race

For the second year in a row, NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson is attempting one of the greatest feats in motorsports: racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. 

But the necessary preparation of both race cars and logistics starts well before Larson will attempt to drive 1,100 miles in one day in two of the most prestigious races in the world. 

Following his dominant victory in the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Larson ran 45 laps in the first practice session for the Indianapolis 500 on Tuesday, placing 24th of 34 cars on the speed chart. 

In a news conference following the session, Larson explained where his priorities lie during the week of both Indianapolis 500 qualifying and the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

"Just focused on Indy now," Larson said when asked if he was juggling preparation for both the All-Star Race and Indianapolis. "Before I left Kansas, (crew chief Cliff Daniels) and I talked, maybe if there was time on Saturday during qualifying, we could get together and talk about how (NASCAR) practice went on and get prepared for the race on Sunday."

While Larson is focused on getting re-acclimated to his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet on the IndyCar side, he made it clear that the Cup Series takes precedent on the whole. 

"I think, no matter through this whole experience, especially this year, Cup should be the priority," Larson said. "I assume we're going to run the All-Star Race no matter what." 

Should Larson make the Firestone Fast Six on Sunday afternoon and be in contention to win the pole for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, he would likely forfeit the opportunity to win the pole in order to start the All-Star Race, which starts at 8 p.m. ET. 

"Hopefully we run into that predicament because that means our car is fast," Larson said. "It would be extremely nice to go for the pole at the Indianapolis 500, but at the same time, it's hard to turn down an opportunity to race for a million dollars. Hopefully we're in that predicament." 

While Larson is busy at Indianapolis, defending NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier will qualify Larson's No. 5 Chevrolet at North Wilkesboro on Friday. 

In 2024, Larson opted to race in a rain-delayed Indianapolis 500 and not start the Coca-Cola 600. While Larson did travel to Charlotte in order to finish the race, rain delayed and eventually ended the Coca-Cola 600 prematurely before Larson had the opportunity to turn a single lap. If Mother Nature interferes with Larson's plan again this year, it appears the Coca-Cola 600 would take priority. 

This week, however, Larson's focus is solely on Indianapolis. 

"I think it's nice that we're so well-organized (at Hendrick Motorsports) that I can completely shut myself off from them for a handful of days to really try and learn this and get prepared for the 500," Larson said. "There's just a lot that's unfamiliar that you have to get refamiliarized with this week."