The much-anticipated opening day of practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed on Tuesday due to inclement weather at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The delay particularly affected Arrow McLaren’s plans, as team principal Tony Kanaan was scheduled to complete a two-hour veteran refresher course in preparation for potentially substituting for NASCAR star Kyle Larson. Larson, who is attempting to compete in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, faced a similar situation last year when rain in both Indianapolis and Charlotte, North Carolina, prevented him from turning a lap in the 600.
IndyCar officials are hopeful that the weather will clear up, allowing for full-field practice later in the day. However, Kanaan’s refresher course will have to be rescheduled for a later time.
The uncertainty surrounding Larson’s participation in the Indy 500 stems from NASCAR’s insistence that he prioritize the Coca-Cola 600. Last year, when the Indy 500 was delayed by rain, Hendrick Motorsports made the call to keep Larson at the speedway, resulting in his late arrival at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, by the time he reached the track, the race was already under a rain delay and ultimately never resumed.
NASCAR took several weeks to decide whether to grant Larson a waiver to maintain his playoff eligibility. This year, they have made it abundantly clear that his presence at the Coca-Cola 600 is mandatory, or it could significantly impact his chances of securing a second Cup Series championship.
