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Kyle Larson details comfort level after first IndyCar testing session for Indianapolis 500
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

For the first official Indianapolis 500 test session of the season, Kyle Larson was P2 on the speed charts and learned a ton in a short time. The NASCAR driver’s learning curve is shorter than most, but there is a lot he still doesn’t know about IndyCar.

Really, there isn’t anything that can replicate real race speed and aero situations. Feeling the car getting loose or tight, oversteer or understeer I guess, and knowing how to adjust. Getting a run off the corner and making a pass down the straight.

There is a lot that Kyle Larson won’t learn until he’s making actual laps in the Indy 500. Even though he had a successful test session, there is more to learn.

“I don’t think that I could take the green flag tomorrow and feel like I’m ready after running 40ish laps the other day — so, no, I still feel like there’s a ton left to learn,” Larson said to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “Although I learned some, I don’t know how it’s going to represent itself to racing conditions.”

Despite being so quick on his lap speed, Larson is staying reserved. He doesn’t want to get overconfident.

“I’m not taking too much from the [testing] day, but it was good to get out there and see what an IndyCar looked like from behind and see what an IndyCar coming in my mirror looks like,” the driver continued.

“And feeling a little bit of dirty air, coming down pit lane with cars on pit lane and people on pit lane — that was more good than just driving the car. It’s all the other little details that I just need to get the hang of before I think I’m really comfortable. And I don’t know if I’ll ever feel like I’m really comfortable before we get to the race.”

It feels like no matter what he does, Kyle Larson is great behind the wheel. His habit of constantly racing, switching up cars and series, it helps him do this. Larson is someone who just loves to go fast, and he will do it wherever he believes there is competition to be had.

The more time he gets in the IndyCar, the better he will get. Representing NASCAR in the Indy 500 is a big deal. This is a race that captures the attention of America and the world of motorsports.

Often, those in NASCAR talk about having the greatest drivers on the planet. Now is the time to prove they have the greatest driver on the planet. Kyle Larson has a ton of expectations on him, perhaps even too much for him. Given what he’s accomplished in his still young career, it is warranted.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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