NASCAR
Harvick to Serve as Standby Driver for Larson During Indy 500 Qualifying
CONCORD, N.C. – Earlier this week, the schedule and format for the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race were made official. Kyle Larson’s practice and qualifying commitments for the 108th Indianapolis 500 will happen simultaneously to some on track activity at North Wilkesboro Speedway. As a result, Kevin Harvick will serve as the “standby driver” for the No. 5 HendrickCars.com team for All-Star Race weekend.
This news was unveiled on FS1’s pre-race show Sunday, before the Würth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway. The recently retired Harvick will fill in for Larson during the practice session at North Wilkesboro on Friday, May 17. Qualifying and the pit crew challenge are also on the schedule that day. Larson also said he may not make it back to North Carolina in time for Saturday’s heat races.
“We’ve been trying to find drivers and stuff to replace me in the seat for practice,” Larson said. “We decided to go with Kevin Harvick. He is going to practice the 5. The whole team is excited.”
“When Rick (Hendrick) called a couple of days ago and said, ‘Hey, I need a favor,’ I know when the conversation starts like that usually you have to say yes,” Harvick said. “I appreciate you guys calling. It’s going to be fun.”
For Larson, Friday will include the final practice session before Indy 500 qualifying. Time trials will then happen on Saturday, May 18. The top 12 will advance to a second qualifying round Sunday. The fastest six will contend for the Indy 500 pole later that day.
Larson is the defending winner of the North Wilkesboro All-Star Race. He has also won the $1 million race a total of three times. The 2021 Cup Series champion’s All-Star Race wins have come at three different tracks, a NASCAR record.
While Larson won last year’s All-Star Race, Harvick finished 18th in NASCAR’s return to North Wilkesboro Speedway. That day he was running a No. 29 throwback to his first winning Cup Series paint scheme.
Harvick retired from full-time driving after 2023, he is now a race analyst for NASCAR on FOX’s Cup Series broadcasts. The 2014 Cup Series champion won 60 races across his 23-year career.
Written by Peter Stratta
Be sure to follow us on Twitter/X
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter/X
Photo Credits to Chris Graythen/Getty Images and Peter Stratta/TSJSports
