The start of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 has been delayed due to light rain around the track, pushing back the original 12:45 pm EST start time. IMS officials have put the command to start engines on hold as sprinkles force a pause in action, though pre-race ceremonies have already concluded. Overcast conditions persisted in the morning, but the race should be completed today without issues. Kyle Larson’s ambitious attempt at the Indy 500/Coke 600 Double faces jeopardy with the delay, as any extended pause could threaten his ability to run all 1,100 miles on the same day, a feat achieved by only Tony Stewart.
Larson’s previous 2024 endeavor at ‘The Double’ was thwarted by weather-related delays in both Indianapolis and Charlotte, where he risked forfeiting playoff points due to NASCAR’s updated waiver policy. In preparation for any potential handover, Tony Kanaan stands by at Indianapolis to step in for Larson in the No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet. Rookie Robert Shwartzman will lead the field to the green flag at the Indy 500 in the No. 83 Prema Racing Chevrolet, sharing the front row with Takuma Sato and Pato O’Ward.
