121 - Full Throttle - Kyle Larson on the Indy Open Test and Racing the Memorial Day Double
Digest
Chase and Conor begin by discussing Colton Herta's golf challenge, with Chase accepting the challenge and expressing his excitement for a potential golf match. They then transition to a discussion about Kyle Larson's IndyCar transition, highlighting his commitment to the series and his perspective on the similarities and differences between IndyCar and NASCAR. Chase and Conor also discuss the importance of practice time in IndyCar and Kyle's approach to the challenge of driving the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same year. The episode concludes with a Ricky Tredway random Indy 500 driver of the week segment, where Chase and Conor delve into the historical archives and uncover the story of Clarence William Belt, a driver who made history as the first to qualify a V-type engine at Indianapolis. They discuss Belt's unique story and the challenges of finding information about him, highlighting the importance of historical research and the fascinating stories that can be unearthed from the past.
Outlines
Indy 500 Test Recap
This Chapter discusses the recent Indy 500 test, highlighting Kyle Larson's impressive performance and Chase's own challenges with new car components. They delve into the significance of the test results, emphasizing that early speed doesn't necessarily translate to race wins. Chase shares his personal experience with the test, including electrical issues and the importance of getting comfortable with the new car.
Long Beach Grand Prix Predictions
This Chapter focuses on predictions for the upcoming Long Beach Grand Prix, with both Chase and Conor sharing their top three picks. Chase highlights Felix Rosenqvist's strong performance and his own preference for Scotty Mac, while Conor leans towards Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood.
Four Minutes of Fun
This Chapter features a four-minute fun segment where Chase and Conor share anecdotes from their weekend, including a dinner with James Hinchcliffe, Marco Andretti, and Reggie Wayne, and Chase's newfound knowledge of Gen Z slang. They also discuss the value of Alex Palou's trading card and the importance of retro IndyCar gear.
Interview with Kyle Larson
This Chapter features an interview with Kyle Larson, discussing his experience at the Indy 500 test, his transition to IndyCar, and his thoughts on the similarities and differences between IndyCar and NASCAR. They also touch upon the challenges of driving in traffic and the importance of practice time.
Colton Herta's Golf Challenge
This Chapter features a discussion about Colton Herta's golf challenge to Chase, with Chase accepting the challenge and expressing his excitement for a potential golf match. They discuss their golf handicaps and the potential for a friendly competition.
Ricky Tredway Random Indy 500 Driver of the Week
This Chapter features a Ricky Tredway random Indy 500 driver of the week segment, where Chase and Conor delve into the historical archives and uncover the story of Clarence William Belt, a driver who made history as the first to qualify a V-type engine at Indianapolis. They discuss Belt's unique story and the challenges of finding information about him, highlighting the importance of historical research and the fascinating stories that can be unearthed from the past.
Keywords
Indy 500
The Indianapolis 500, also known as the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing," is an annual auto race held on Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. It is one of the most prestigious and historic races in the world, with a rich history dating back to 1911. The race is known for its high speeds, intense competition, and iconic traditions, such as the starting grid ceremony and the singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana."
Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson is an American professional auto racing driver. He is currently competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Larson is known for his exceptional driving skills, particularly on dirt tracks, and his ability to win races in various series. He is a former NASCAR Cup Series champion and has also achieved success in other racing series, including the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the Chili Bowl Nationals.
Long Beach Grand Prix
The Long Beach Grand Prix is an annual auto race held on a temporary street circuit in Long Beach, California. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious street races in the world, with a history dating back to 1975. The race is known for its challenging course, which features tight corners, elevation changes, and a unique layout that winds through the streets of downtown Long Beach. The event is also known for its vibrant atmosphere, with a large and enthusiastic crowd.
IndyCar
IndyCar is an American open-wheel racing series that is known for its high speeds, intense competition, and diverse race tracks. The series features a variety of race formats, including oval races, road courses, and street circuits. IndyCar is a popular motorsport in the United States and has a global following. The series is governed by IndyCar, LLC, and its flagship event is the Indianapolis 500.
Push to Pass
Push to Pass is a feature in IndyCar that allows drivers to temporarily increase their engine power by a certain amount. This feature is only available on road and street courses and is designed to add excitement and strategy to the races. Drivers have a limited amount of Push to Pass available per race, and they must use it strategically to gain an advantage over their competitors.
Colton Herta
Colton Herta is an American professional racing driver who currently competes in the IndyCar Series. He is known for his exceptional driving skills and his ability to win races at a young age. Herta is a rising star in the IndyCar Series and is considered to be one of the most talented drivers in the world.
Clarence William Belt
Clarence William Belt was an American racing driver who competed in the 1928 Indianapolis 500. He is notable for being the first driver to qualify a V-type engine at Indianapolis. Belt finished 27th in the race, but his achievement marked a significant moment in the history of the Indy 500 and the development of racing technology.
V-type engine
A V-type engine is a type of internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in two banks that form a V shape. This configuration allows for a more compact engine design and can provide a higher power output than inline engines. V-type engines are commonly used in automobiles, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
Q&A
What were some of the key takeaways from the Indy 500 test?
Kyle Larson's impressive performance generated a lot of buzz, but Chase emphasizes that early speed doesn't guarantee race wins. Chase also highlights the challenges he faced with new car components and the importance of getting comfortable with the car.
What are Chase and Conor's top three picks for the Long Beach Grand Prix?
Chase predicts Felix Rosenqvist, Scotty Mac, and Kyle Kirkwood will be strong contenders, while Conor favors Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood, and Joseph Newgarden.
What are some of the key differences between IndyCar and NASCAR?
Chase and Kyle discuss the differences in car setup, driver adjustments, and the role of the draft. They also touch upon the amount of practice time available in each series.
What is Kyle Larson's perspective on the similarities between IndyCar and NASCAR?
Kyle believes that the next-gen NASCAR cars have become more similar to IndyCars in terms of handling and feel, particularly on tracks like Phoenix. He feels this transition has made the learning curve less steep for him.
What is Kyle Larson's approach to the challenge of driving the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same year?
Kyle acknowledges the difficulty of the double but maintains a confident approach, emphasizing the importance of focusing on each race individually and giving his best effort.
What is the significance of the retro IndyCar gear trend?
Chase believes that retro IndyCar gear is a way for fans to express their passion for the sport in a unique and nostalgic way, celebrating the history and heritage of IndyCar racing.
What is Colton Herta's golf challenge to Chase?
Colton Herta challenged Chase to a golf match, which Chase accepted. They discussed their golf handicaps and the potential for a friendly competition.
Who is Clarence William Belt and what is his significance in Indy 500 history?
Clarence William Belt was a driver who competed in the 1928 Indianapolis 500. He is notable for being the first driver to qualify a V-type engine at Indianapolis. This achievement marked a significant moment in the history of the Indy 500 and the development of racing technology.
Show Notes
Conor Daly reports to Speed Street after the rain-shortened Indianapolis 500 open test. He and co-host Chase Holden react to Kyle Larson’s impressive second place time from the test and explain why the speed he showed may be deceiving. Conor also recaps the rest of the test results and fills listeners in on his experience with the Dreyer Reinbold team. They discuss the latest IndyCar roster changes and look ahead to the upcoming weekend in Long Beach by making their podium predictions.
After the break, they welcome the most talked about storyline of the open test, NASCAR superstar Kyle Larson. Kyle gives listeners some insight into what he was feeling in his first competitive laps behind the wheel of an IndyCar. He also touches on the fact that many racing fans may be giving him too much credit after his early display of speed, revealing the many challenges he faces ahead in the month of May. Finally, Kyle contemplates the pressure of doing the Memorial Day Double and gives an honest answer to the prospects of him winning one of the events, or both.
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