Top NASCAR driver Kyle Larson uses Indianapolis 500 testing to learn on the fly

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Top NASCAR driver Kyle Larson uses Indianapolis 500 testing to learn on the fly

2024-04-11 03:43 Last Updated At：05:21

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Kyle Larson embraces the challenge of racing in any car on any track at any time.

He's now facing his trickiest quest yet — preparing for his Indianapolis 500 debut next month.

Larson returned to the historic 2.5-mile oval Wednesday for the first of two days of open testing and spent his time on the track trying to learn as much as possible. The 2021 NASCAR Cup champion is going to attempt to complete the Memorial Day weekend double — 1,100 miles of racing in Indianapolis and Charlotte, North Carolina, on the same day.

“I went out there, I was starting to get like tighter and tighter (steering) and then (Josef) Newgarden passed me and I got like super tight,” Larson said, referring to last year's first-time Indy winner. “So I don't know if that amount of tight was real but I would assume it's probably more real than not having another car out there.”

It didn't take Larson long to show what he's already deciphered. He posted the second-fastest lap in morning practice, 226.384 mph, albeit with a tow. Only Newgarden, at 228.811, was quicker.

But Larson may be better suited to successfully completing the Indy-NASCAR double than today's more specialized drivers.

His busy schedule and willingness to compete in so many formats rekindle images of the days race fans watched A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti competing on nearly any circuit.

Still, getting acclimated to the nuances of the faster, lighter IndyCars is a challenge.

In Larson's previous trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a sunny October day, he needed roughly 2 1/2 hours to pass the race's three-phase rookie test before spending the rest of the afternoon running flat out in little or no traffic. He also detected some spots where overconfidence — or wind gusts — could take drivers for a wild ride into the concrete walls.

Larson, who finished second in a NASCAR race at Martinsville, Virginia this past weekend, said it would have been more “overwhelming” had he been dealing with rookie orientation during Wednesday's test.

He returned to the Arrow McLaren No. 17 Chevrolet in February on Phoenix's 1-mile oval and acknowledged he nearly spun out the car that his NASCAR team, Hendrick Motorsports, also is backing. Larson called it a good sign to be running on the car's edge.

With the May 26 double nearing, the higher stakes come with more complicated lessons.

“I think I've definitely learned stuff but when the packs are that small, you don't know if what you're learning is reality,” Larson said. “I'm also kind of learning to get in front of people and getting familiar with my mirrors, communication and tying that all together, seeing runs develop behind me and knowing when to lift, when to tuck into line all of that kind of stuff.”

Wednesday's weather conditions didn't help.

The cool, breezy overcast day also led to intermittent track closures for rain showers. Larson was so busy checking off boxes during the first two hours of testing, he couldn't consult with his 500 teammates — Pato O'Ward of Mexico, American Alexander Rossi — British driver Callum Ilott, who replaced the injured David Malukas for the testing or driver coach Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy winner.

Malukas is recovering from offseason wrist surgery following a mountain biking accident. Ilott replaced him for the races in St. Petersburg and at the Thermal Club.

Larson also is figuring out the logistics for balancing next month’s practices, qualifying runs and race weekend festivities in Indy with his full-time Cup duties for two weekends in Charlotte, North Carolina.

IndyCar veterans believe Larson, who is the current points leader among NASCAR drivers, has plenty of time to fine-tune his strategy.

“If we get one or two more hours running, we'll be fine,” O'Ward said during the team's lunch break. “I mean there's plenty of time to do running during the month and the weather's going to be different. There's plenty of time to get spun up.”

The versatile Larson is trying to become the fifth driver to attempt the double.

“He (Larson) is a true racer, the guy wants to drive anything,” said O'Ward, a four-time IndyCar winner who is second in IndyCar points. “I have a massive respect for that.”

AP IndyCar: https://apnews.com/hub/indycar

Crawford goes 7 innings, Wong has 3 hits and Red Sox beat Giants 6-2

2024-05-02 10:37 Last Updated At：10:42

BOSTON (AP) — Kutter Crawford pitched a career-high seven innings, Connor Wong had three hits and the Boston Red Sox beat the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Wednesday night.

Crawford (2-1) allowed two runs on four hits — including a home run — and two walks with six strikeouts as the Red Sox won their fourth straight.

“That was good,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Crawford’s outing. “He worked hard in the offseason to get to this point. Big strikeout to end the sixth. Good stuff, good fastball. He earned the right to go out there and try to get three outs.

“Very proud of him. He’s been awesome, absolutely great. He got hit hard in the middle of the game, but that’s part of it, right? He threw a lot of strikes with good stuff and he maintained his stuff throughout the outing.”

The right-hander’s previous career high was 6 1/3 innings on April 17, 2023, against the Los Angeles Angels.

“Really satisfying,” Crawford said. “I can’t think of a better feeling than to get through seven, give your team the best chance to win and help the bullpen out while you’re at it.”

Chris Martin and Greg Weissert each pitched a scoreless inning in relief for Boston.

Wong was 3 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Jarren Duran also reached base three times for Boston, with two walks and his fourth triple of the season.

Daulton Jefferies (0-2) pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief, giving up four runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts for San Francisco. He lowered his ERA from 22.50 to 17.36.

“He’s getting behind some guys,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin. “He’s normally a strike thrower. He walked a couple and gave up some hits, but got behind in some counts. And, as you saw, he was missing low with quite a few pitches and took a little while to find the strike zone and when he did, he was behind and they got some good swings off him.”

The Red Sox scored two runs in the third when Ceddanne Rafaela singled, Duran walked and Rafael Devers hit an RBI double. Rob Refsnyder then grounded out, scoring Duran.

Boston added two runs in the fourth when Wong led off with a double and scored on Enmanuel Valdez’s double. Duran’s stand-up triple scored Valdez.

Dom Smith, whom the Red Sox signed just before the game after he was released by Tampa Bay on Tuesday, had an RBI single in the fifth.

Tom Murphy led off the third with his first home run of the season, giving the Giants a 1-0 lead.

Erik Miller, taking the rotation spot of left-hander Blake Snell, on the injured list with a left adductor strain, went one scoreless inning with two walks and a strikeout.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Giants: LHP Blake Snell, out since April 23 with a left adductor strain, threw a bullpen session on Wednesday.

Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta, out since April 6 with a right elbow flexor strain, is expected to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. … 2B Vaughn Grissom, out all season with a left hamstring strain, could rejoin the team on Friday, manager Alex Cora said. … INF Romy Gonzalez, out since April 11 with a left wrist sprain, could begin a rehab assignment Thursday or Friday.

UP NEXT

LHP Kyle Harrison (2-1, 4.09 ERA) is scheduled to start for San Francisco, his first career appearance against Boston. RHP Josh Winckowski (1-1, 3.50) will start for Boston. He has two career appearances against the Giants, spanning 2 2/3 innings, with no decisions and a 3.38 ERA.

AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/MLB