Did Kyle Larson make the Indy 500? Updated qualifying results, speed, starting position for NASCAR driver

05-20-2024
5 min read
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Kyle Larson is the busiest man in racing right now.

The 31-year-old NASCAR driver, who just won the AdventHealth 400 on May 5, set out to qualify for the Indy 500 as a rookie while racing for Arrow McLaren. Qualification for the Indy 500 could put Larson in position to race in both the prestigious IndyCar race and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on May 25.

Just four drivers have ever pulled off "The Double," and just one — Tony Stewart (2001) — has completed the full 1,100 miles. Larson is one of NASCAR's most recognizable drivers, but what he's attempting to do would catapult him into rare territory.

Here's a look at Larson's qualifying results ahead of the Indy 500.

MORE: Full Indy 500 qualifying schedule

Did Kyle Larson qualify for the Indy 500?

Larson secured his place in the Indy 500 with his performance in Saturday's qualifying, finishing with the sixth-highest speed (232.563 mph) in the qualification round.

The finish was not only good enough to qualify Larson for the Indy 500, but it kept him in the running for pole position. He and 11 other drivers advanced to Sunday's Fast 12, knowing they will all have a place in the first three rows at the Indy 500 but competing for pole position after a great showing Saturday.

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Larson wound up finishing fifth in the Fast 12, meaning he will be the fifth driver in the 2024 Indy 500 field.

Kyle Larson Indy 500 qualifying results

The top 12 finishers in Saturday's qualifying round advanced to the Fast 12, while slots No. 13-30 are locked in. Drivers who finished between No. 31 and No. 34 still have to compete for a spot in the field Sunday. 

Position Driver Average speed
1 Scott McLaughlin 234.2 mph
2 Will Power 233.9 mph
3 Josef Newgarden 233.8 mph
4 Alexander Rossi 233.1 mph
5 Kyle Larson 232.8 mph
6 Santino Ferrucci 232.7 mph
7 Rinus Veekay 232.6 mph
8 Pato Oward 232.6 mph
9 Felix Rosenqvist 232.3 mph
10 Takuma Sato 232.2 mph
11 Kyle Kirkwood 230.9 mph
12 Ryan Hunter-Reay 230.6 mph
13 Colton Herta 232.3 mph
14 Alex Palou 232.3 mph
15 Callum Ilott 232.2 mph
16 Marcus Armstrong 232.2 mph
17 Ed Carpenter 232.0 mph
18 Kyffin Sampson 231.9 mph
19 Marco Andretti 231.9 mph
20 Helio Castroneves 231.9 mph
21 Scott Dixon 231.9 mph
22 Augustin Canapino 231.8 mph
23 Sting Ray Robb 231.8 mph
24 Christian Rasmussen 231.7 mph
25 Tom Blomqvist 231.6 mph
26 Romain Grosjean 231.5 mph
27 Linus Lundqvist 231.5 mph
28 Christian Lundgaard 231.5 mph
29 Conor Daly 231.2 mph
30 Pietro Fittipaldi 231.1 mph
31 Katherine Legge 230.1 mph
32 Marcus Ericsson 230.0 mph
33 Graham Rahal 230.0 mph

MORE: Full 2024 NASCAR Cup Series schedule

Will Kyle Larson participate in the NASCAR All-Star Race?

Larson already has a stacked schedule ahead as he tries to race in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 next weekend, but he could be in for a mad scramble Sunday as well.

The former NASCAR Cup Series champion is scheduled to participate in the NASCAR All-Star Race at 8 p.m. ET Sunday night in North Wilkesboro, N.C. There wouldn't have been any conflict if Larson had finished below between 13th and 30th in the Indy 500 qualifying Saturday, but his impressive run will force him into the Fast 12 starting at 3:05 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Larson is expected to compete in the Fast 12 in Indianapolis and still attempt to race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. That should leave him with enough time to get to the race. If he advances to the Fast Six, however, Larson will have to decide between attempting to secure pole position in Indianapolis or settling for sixth and heading to the NASCAR All-Star Race.

Larson admitted he's still not sure what his decision would be if he doesn't land between seventh and 12th in the Fast 12 on Sunday.