LARSON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES INDY ROOKIE ORIENTATION

By: Bruce Martin

Kyle Larson’s attempt at the 108th Indianapolis 500 in 2024 is billed as the “Hendrick 1100.”

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion will attempt to become the next driver to compete in “The Double” by running in the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race on the same day.

The “Hendrick 1100” received plenty of mileage Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as Larson easily completed the Rookie Orientation Program for the Indianapolis 500.

Drivers must start ROP with 10 laps between 205-210 mph, following with 15 laps at 210-215 and finishing with 15 laps faster than 215 mph.

In a rookie test that began at 11 am US – Eastern Time), Larson completed Phase 1 at 11:43 am and Phase 2 at 12:25 pm.

At 1:18 pm Larson completed the third and final phase, then was able to spend the rest of his time on the track running laps at speed around the world’s most famous race course.

Larson was so good and so smooth on Phase 2 of ROP that he went 15 for 15 on hitting the laps speeds of what he was mandated to hit in order to pass the phase. It clearly showed Larson’s comfort zone.