INDIANAPOLIS — After much speculation in recent weeks about whether Tony Kanaan would come out of IndyCar retirement for a second time if race day storms in central Indiana on May 26 prevented Kyle Larson from to make his debut at the Indianapolis 500, Arrow McLaren staff have decided to keep the 2013 500 winner in the timing stand on Sunday, the team confirmed Thursday.
IMS and IndyCar reportedly arranged a provisional one-hour block of track time Thursday afternoon for Kanaan to complete a two-stage, 30-lap veteran refresher that would make him eligible to replace Larson, in the event of a rain delay. the start of the 500 forces Rick Hendrick to retire the NASCAR Cup points leader and take him to Charlotte Motor Speedway to meet series rules on playoff eligibility.
But after the IndyCar team and staff continued the dialogue about what would and would not be allowed in the pursuit of a possible reserve driving option for Larson earlier this week, Arrow McLaren opted to give priority on preparing his race car for Sunday and the impact Kanaan can have. in Larson’s ear as Arrow McLaren’s sporting director and point man who has spearheaded Larson’s development program since taking on the role last fall.
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Last week, IndyStar learned that IndyCar had changed its rules regarding relief and reserve drivers which, in the past, allowed drivers to climb into the cockpit mid-race for the car’s starter. Most recently, Robby Gordon withdrew from the 500 during a nearly two-hour rain delay in 2004 to get to the Coke 600 on time, leaving Jaques Lazier to take over the No. 70 Chevrolet for Robby Gordon Motorsports when the The racing action has returned. . The #70 had to bow out for 88 laps due to a mechanical failure. Kurt Busch, the most recent driver to attempt the “Double” in 2014, would also have been allowed to bring in a driver mid-race, or be asked to start in his place if he had to leave before a green flag delayed, but IndyCar changed its rules soon after.
Under the new regulations, teams are not allowed to have a second driver mid-race. They are also not permitted to prepare a potential replacement to start the race, if that replacement driver is not already authorized to compete, without removing the previously scheduled driver from the field. As applies to Larson and the No. 17 Chevrolet, under a strict reading of the rules, Kanaan would not have been allowed to participate in the refresher session necessary to make him “eligible to race” without first eliminate any chance of Larson leaving. . The only driver allowed to start in place of Larson at the moment would be rookie Nolan Siegel, who was the only driver left out of the field this weekend.
Rule 4.3.3.1 of IndyCar’s most recent rulebook states that, when it comes to oval races, the only drivers eligible to replace the original driver on the entry list would be those who participated in “other tests or at a special session. ” before the start of the race. But in recent days, IndyCar officials appeared willing to relax those rules, although it’s unclear whether or not they had given Arrow McLaren the green flag to get approval Kanaan.
Heading into a weekend characterized by a shaky forecast with showers likely to fall at some point, the team’s decision to prioritize its initial plans opens up the very real possibility that number 17 might not don’t finish the 500 miles. Larson’s NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, who teamed up with Zak Brown and Arrow McLaren in Larson’s 500 debut, told reporters Tuesday it would be “very difficult” and “very difficult » to make a decision that would prevent Larson from taking the checkered flag, but he didn’t make a decision either. the concept.
NASCAR rules require teams and owners to start (or attempt to qualify for) all points-paying regular season races that season in order to be eligible for the playoffs in the fall – for which Larson has already qualified thanks to his pair of wins that lock him into one of the 16 spots. Entering this weekend, he has a 30-point lead as championship leader. In the past, NASCAR has granted playoff waivers to drivers who missed regular season races due to injury but were otherwise eligible for the playoffs. It is currently unclear whether NASCAR would accept Larson and/or Hendrick choosing not to attend and participate in a Cup race in favor of the 500.
Although IndyCar would not require Siegel to participate in a special track session to start in place of Larson, it would also be surprising if the team inserted him into the biggest race of the year, if the weather pushed them in that direction, like his first time in Arrow McLaren gear. With that in mind, if weather conditions created a situation in which Larson would be unable to complete the 500 and compete in the Coke 600 – and Hendrick chooses to prioritize the Cup race – either Larson (if he is at least able to stay for the start of the race) or Siegel (if Larson already had to leave to pass the green flag for the Coke 600) can take the green flag, complete a single lap to signify having “started” the race, then park into the pit lane and turn off the car for the day.
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This would mean that the entry was not officially withdrawn before the race, allowing him to receive the prize money required for last place – which can make a sizable difference to team members – rather nothing at all.
A team spokesperson told IndyStar on Thursday that Arrow McLaren “will aim to pursue any opportunity to have Kyle in the car,” while acknowledging the possibility of a “game-time decision,” if the Weather delays prevent both starting and running the full 500m and running the 500m. full Coke 600 an impossible combination.
With Siegel – or anyone other than Larson – in the car, the No. 17 Chevrolet would be forced to start 33rd on the grid, due to IndyCar rules regarding driver changes after qualifying – like Graham Rahal starting 33rd a year ago. when he took over the No. 24 Chevrolet for Dreyer and Reinbold Racing after Stefan Wilson’s crash Monday after qualifying left him with a fractured vertebra. Being forced to start in last place – and therefore not having a realistic chance of winning – would also have played a part in the decision not to spend time preparing Kanaan at the expense of fine-tuning the team’s entries as they currently appear. .