Kyle Larson’s Indy 500 Controversy Sparks Major Fan Backlash

The 2023 Indy 500 really threw Kyle Larson through the wringer. Delays, controversies, and a string of mishaps turned his day into a mess that fans and critics can’t stop talking about.

Larson had set his sights on the grueling Memorial Day Double—racing both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. What should’ve been a legendary feat just spiraled into chaos, and honestly, it’s hard not to feel for the guy.

Rain Delays and Early Tensions

Going into the Indy 500, weather apps showed only a 3% chance of rain. Yet, out of nowhere, a drizzle showed up and delayed the race by about 40 minutes.

That little setback was just the start. The day kept finding ways to get more complicated.

Larson’s Memorial Day Double Attempt

Larson tried the Memorial Day Double last year too, but rain delays at both Indianapolis and Charlotte ruined his shot. He came back this year, determined to finally pull it off.

But then, the rain at Indy set off a chain reaction. Sitting in the No. 17 Chevrolet, Larson grew restless as the 109th running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” kept getting pushed back.

Controversial Moments and Mistakes

On the final pace lap, Scott McLaughlin from Team Penske crashed on the front straight while warming his tires. Larson drove by and tossed McLaughlin a thumbs-up—an odd gesture that got people talking.

The Thumbs-Up Incident

Some folks thought Larson’s reaction made sense, given the pressure he was under to make it to Charlotte. Others called it hypocritical, since Larson had already crashed twice in practice.

Either way, the moment got everyone fired up and made Larson the center of controversy among IndyCar fans.

Things only got worse for Larson. He triggered a three-car pileup with a rookie mistake, downshifting right after a restart on lap 92. That mess not only delayed his trip to Charlotte but also put a spotlight on his rough day at Indy.

NASCAR’s Stricter Playoff Waiver Rules

Last year, after rain delays, NASCAR gave Larson a playoff waiver so he could stay in postseason contention despite missing a start. NASCAR tightened those rules this year to avoid more drama.

If the same thing had happened this season, Larson would’ve lost his series-high 23 playoff points. That’s a pretty tough pill to swallow.

Corey LaJoie’s Defense and McLaughlin’s Response

Cup driver Corey LaJoie tried to defend Larson’s thumbs-up at first, but he backtracked once more details came out. McLaughlin fired off a response, echoing what a lot of IndyCar fans were already thinking about Larson’s claim to be a “better all-around driver than Max Verstappen.”

Larson’s Apology and Further Controversy

Larson ended up apologizing to McLaughlin. Ironically, that just made his most devoted fans dig in even deeper, insisting he could do no wrong.

But honestly, his actions on race day painted a messier picture.

Another Memorial Day Double Attempt to Forget

This year’s Memorial Day Double turned into a disaster for Larson. He crashed out of the lead at Charlotte and then got caught up in another multi-car pileup.

When it was all over, Larson had run fewer miles than 20 of the 39 drivers who only ran the Coca-Cola 600. That’s not the stat he wanted.

Still, Larson did make some history—he became just the fifth driver, and the first since Kurt Busch in 2014, to attempt both races on the same day. Unfortunately, he’s now also the first to crash out of both on the same day. That’s a record nobody wants.

Kyle Larson’s 2023 Memorial Day Double attempt had its fair share of controversy and mishaps. Rain delays threw everything off schedule.

There was that thumbs-up incident, not to mention the crashes. The day turned into a tangle of drama and unexpected turns.

If you’re curious about all the details, you can check out the full story here.