Kyle Larson to IndyCar: Chip Ganassi rues failed partnership that benefited Arrow McLaren

In a surprising revelation, legendary IndyCar team owner Chip Ganassi has revealed how he would've potentially brought Kyle Larson to the open-wheel series. Larson raced for Chip Ganassi Racing's NASCAR team in the Cup Series for over six seasons.

In their seventh season in 2020, the team parted ways with him after he used a racial slur during an online iRacing event, which caused a huge controversy. NASCAR suspended Larson indefinitely, while his major sponsors terminated their partnerships. The then 27-year-old issued an apology and took NASCAR's sensitivity training.

In 2021, Hendrick Motorsports gave Larson a lifeline by signing him on a one-year deal. Larson's comeback was impeccable as he won the Cup Series championship, with 10 race wins in the season.

In a recent episode of Java with James on YouTube, former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe asked Chip Ganassi if there were any drivers he wished to sign that got away. Ganassi replied to him while touching upon his potential dream of bringing Larson to IndyCar.

"I thought, you know, we brought Kyle Larson into NASCAR, and he unfortunately had to leave the team. I would've liked to brought him here, but someone else got to do that. So, good for them," said Ganassi.

By "someone else", the 67-year-old referred to rival Arrow McLaren, which partnered with Kyle Larson's NASCAR team, Hendrick Motorsports, to facilitate his attempts at conquering The Double.

The 2021 NASCAR champ failed at both attempts in 2024 and 2025 and doesn't intend to return to the Indy 500 while his full-time NASCAR career is on.

Kyle Larson suffers a vicious sprint car crash while dirt racing

Kyle Larson at the NASCAR Cup Series Cracker Barrel 400 - Practice - Source: Getty

Kyle Larson competed in the World of Outlaws series in Plymouth on Friday, June 7, on the 0.33-mile dirt racing circuit in Plymouth. On lap 7, while running behind the race leader, the 32-year-old had a technical malfunction on his car.

Consequently, a wheel came off, and the car flipped violently before crashing into the catch fence and coming to a halt upside down.

"I don't know. I think the right rear axle or something broke, so it just kind of launched me, and I was along for the ride," Larson said. "Bummer, but I felt really good pacing Rico there and just finally catching traffic and get racing there. Glad I'm okay, big hit but all-in-all, feel fine."

Larson's two Indy 500 attempts as part of The Double were ruined by personal mistakes. In 2024, he engaged the wrong gear on a restart and got a separate penalty for speeding on pit road, making him go from P5 to P18 in the race. This year, he messed up on a lap 92 restart, causing his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevy to spin and collect two other drivers in the crash.