NASCAR insider spills the beans on Kyle Larson’s HMS replacement for Coke 600-Indy 500 double

Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman and ex-Cup champion Jeff Gordon might have revealed who will replace Kyle Larson during double duty.

NASCAR insider spills the beans on Kyle Larson’s HMS replacement for Coke 600-Indy 500 double

Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

The 2025 racing season will mark the Kyle Larson’s attempt at the Coca Cola 600-Indy 500 double duty for the second straight year. He made his debut attempt last year, but it was ruined with a massive rain delay at Indianapolis and his couldn’t start the Cup race at Charllotte as the event was cut short due to rain, before he got back to the track.

So, coming into the 2025 season, Kyle Larson and Hendrick Motorsports is taking a lot of precautions as with the new NASCAR rule change, he will not get the waiver, or the points deducted for the waiver will be too significant. As part of the effort, they are deciding on the replacement driver for the Cup practice sessions and Jeff Gordon might have given a hint on who it will be.

Last year it was the 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick, and this year the role will be served by a JR Motorsports driver. Senior NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass, after talking to HMS Vice Chairman Gordan, confirmed this and pointed out that the driver will most probably be the reigning Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier.

As far as who will be in Kyle Larson’s Cup car for any practice sessions at North Wilkesboro or Charlotte that Larson might miss while at Indy, Jeff Gordon said it will be a ‘JRM driver and somebody that fits in his seat. That sounds like [Justin] Allgaier to me.

Bob Pockrass wrote on X.

Kyle Larson shares feelings about potentially winning Indy 500

Growing up around the sprint car and open wheel racing scene, winning at the Brickyard has always been a dream for Kyle Larson. He has won a Cup series race at the iconic track, but nothing can match kissing the bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after winning the Indy 500.

Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson (Via Imago)

Talking about potentially winning the race, Kyle Larson highlighted how close he came to finishing inside the top-5 before the speeding at pit-stop and added that he would love to win the race. But he understands it won’t be easy.

On the IndyCar side of it, the Indy 500, I felt like last year I could have finished fourth to eighth if I didn’t speed on pit road, so somewhere in that window — obviously, I would love to win the Indy 500, but I know how difficult that is.

Kyle Larson said.

Kyle Larson is excited about getting back in the IndyCar

Earlier talking about the race, Kyle Larson has shared his excitement about getting back in the IndyCar with Arrow McLaren. He admitted that he can’t believe the open test for the race weekend is already too close.

Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson (Via IMAGO)

So yeah, I’m getting really excited about getting back in the IndyCar. We’ll be at the Speedway here in a couple of weeks for the open test. So yeah, I can’t believe it’s already here.

Kyle Larson said.

He further pointed out that he and his crew is looking forward to seeing the hybrid tech’s that has been incorporated to the cars as well as how its going to affect his racing. Larson to needs to learn more about the cars to get better result from the race.

It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, but I guess it’s here, so we’re ready and looking forward to seeing what the hybrid stuff is all about and learning more about these cars, trying to get better for the race.

Kyle Larson added.

The comments from the Hendrick Motorsports driver shows he is determined to redeem himself from the disappointing race he had last year, it will be interesting to see how the race weekend is set to playout for the Chevy veteran.