Kyle Larson is a generational talent. Everybody says it. But even the best in the world can't always outrun the chaotic physics of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On May 25, 2025, the dream of "The Double" didn't just fade; it slammed into the Turn 2 wall with a sickening crunch.
He was 91 laps into the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.
The sun wasn't exactly shining—overcast skies and a 42-minute rain delay had already made the day feel "off." Larson was tucked up behind Takuma Sato on a restart. If you've ever watched IndyCar, you know how thin the margin is between a heroic pass and a total disaster. Larson peeked out to the left, the car got light, and suddenly the No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was a passenger.
It wasn't just a solo spin. The wreck collected Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb.
Honestly, the Kyle Larson Indy crash was the final blow to a month that felt like Larson was fighting the track every single day. Most people just saw the race-day wreck, but the struggle started way before May 25.
The Build-Up: A Month of Hitting Walls
Before the big one on Lap 91, Larson had already introduced his car to the SAFER barrier twice. It started back in April during the Open Test. He got wide in Turn 1, pancaked the wall, and effectively ended his day before he could get a rhythm. Then came "Fast Friday" on May 16.
High winds were gusting up to 40 mph. The track was hot—nearly 90 degrees.
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Larson was pushing for speed when the car just "came around." He backed it into the Turn 3 and Turn 4 barriers. When he climbed out, he was surprisingly chill about it. He told reporters, "At least we’ve found both ends of the spectrum." He meant he’d hit the front in April and the back in May.
That’s Larson for you. He doesn't get rattled. But the lack of clean track time was quietly mounting up.
Why the 2025 Car Felt Different
You might wonder why a guy who can drive anything struggled so much this time around. It wasn't just bad luck. IndyCar introduced new hybrid technology for the 2025 season. This added about 100 pounds of weight to the rear of the car.
For a driver used to the heavy, high-downforce feel of a NASCAR Cup car, that extra weight in an open-wheel machine changed everything. Larson admitted the balance felt "different" and "hectic."
He was essentially learning a new car on the fly while trying to qualify for the biggest race in the world.
The Lap 91 Disaster: A Breakdown of the Crash
The actual Kyle Larson Indy crash during the race was a classic "over-eager" mistake. Larson said it himself. After a slow pit stop earlier in the race, he felt like he was playing catch-up. He was starting to move through the field, sitting comfortably in the top 20, but the pressure of the clock was ticking.
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Remember, he had to be in Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 later that night.
On the Lap 91 restart, he was "tucked up" under Sato. When you’re that close to the car in front, you lose "front air"—the downforce that keeps your nose glued to the asphalt.
- The Peeking Maneuver: Larson moved left to find clean air.
- The Loss of Grip: The car hit the "marbles" (the little bits of rubber off the racing line).
- The Spin: The rear end stepped out instantly.
- The Impact: He slid across the short chute and hammered the Turn 2 wall.
Sting Ray Robb, who was caught up in it, was actually pretty sympathetic. He noted that the track was cold and the tires hadn't reached temperature yet. "These cars are tricky," Robb said afterward. That's an understatement when you're doing 220 mph.
Comparing 2024 vs. 2025
In 2024, Larson's biggest enemy was the rain. He finished the Indy 500 (18th place) but missed the start of the 600 in Charlotte.
2025 was supposed to be the redemption year.
Technically, he did manage to compete in both races in 2025, but it was a "from the frying pan into the fire" situation. After the Indy crash, he flew to North Carolina, hopped in his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy, and... crashed again. Daniel Suárez slid into him at Charlotte, ending a miserable 1,100-mile day.
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What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of fans think Larson just "can't handle" Indy cars. That's a bad take.
Arrow McLaren Team Principal Tony Kanaan—a legend at Indy—rated the conditions on qualifying weekend as an 8 out of 10 for difficulty. Larson was dealing with a car that was heavier and more temperamental than the one he drove the year before.
He didn't lack talent. He lacked a clean weekend.
Racing is about momentum. When you start the month with a crash in testing, then another in practice, you're always on the defensive. You're not tuning the car for speed; you're just trying to get it to handle well enough to survive.
Actionable Takeaways for Racing Fans
If you're following Larson's journey or looking to understand the mechanics of the Brickyard, keep these things in mind for the next "Double" attempt:
- Watch the "Short Chutes": Turns 1 and 3 get all the glory, but the narrow gaps between them (the short chutes) are where the spins usually finish you off.
- Tire Temp is Everything: Most Indy crashes happen on restarts because the Firestone tires need a lap or two to "come in" and provide grip.
- The Hybrid Factor: Pay attention to how the extra weight of the hybrid system affects the "pendulum effect" in the corners. It's much harder to save a car now than it was three years ago.
Larson left Indy in 2025 feeling "bummed and sad." It was a brutal reminder that the Speedway doesn't care about your resume.
If you want to keep up with Larson's next move, watch the official NASCAR and IndyCar entry lists for 2026. He's already dropped hints that he isn't done with the Brickyard. For now, the best thing to do is analyze the telemetry from that Lap 91 restart—it’s a masterclass in how quickly "dirty air" can ruin a perfect day.