Tony Kanaan, the team principal of Arrow McLaren and former IndyCar champion, has hailed Kyle Larson as the best driver he has ever seen when it comes to adapting to different types of racecars. Kanaan made these remarks while discussing Larson’s preparations for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 on the Never Settle podcast.

Larson is once again attempting “The Double” on May 25, aiming to race in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. After last year’s weather delays disrupted his plans, Larson has decided that if weather issues arise again, he will prioritize the NASCAR race, the Coca-Cola 600. This decision is strategic because missing the NASCAR race could cost him all 23 of his playoff points and negatively impact his chances in the NASCAR championship.

During practice sessions for the 2025 Indy 500, Larson showed rapid improvement. On the first day of practice, he ranked 24th with a best lap time of 40.6858 seconds. By the second day, he had improved to 13th overall, cutting his lap time by half a second to 40.1813 seconds at a speed of 223.985 mph.

When asked about Larson’s ability to adapt to IndyCar, Kanaan stated, “I think he is the best.” He acknowledged the talents of other great drivers like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, and Alex Palou but emphasized that Larson’s ability to pick up new cars quickly is unmatched. Kanaan explained that while other drivers, including Jimmie Johnson, made transitions to different racing disciplines, Larson’s talent to adapt immediately is unparalleled. He said, “He doesn’t have that [struggle], he just picks up the first time. I would say at talent to adapt, he’s the best I’ve ever seen.”

Last year, Larson stayed at the Indy 500 during a four-hour weather delay and finished 18th after a speeding penalty on pit road. Unfortunately, the NASCAR race at Charlotte was called off due to rain, so Larson never got to compete in the Coca-Cola 600. This year, with NASCAR playoff points and the championship on the line, Larson has rightly decided to give priority to the Coca-Cola 600.

In the event Larson has to miss the Indy 500 due to the scheduling conflict, Arrow McLaren’s team principal Tony Kanaan will step in to drive the #17 car. Kanaan, who won the Indy 500 in 2013, made it clear that if he gets behind the wheel, he will aim for victory. He told The Race, “If we’re fighting, they [the other McLaren drivers] are losing. If I’m in that car, I’m Tony Kanaan, the race car driver, there’s nothing to do with the team, that’s the way it needs to be.”

Kanaan also shared a humorous exchange with Christian Lundgaard, another McLaren driver, joking about a scenario where they might battle for the win. He said, “I know that because we talked about it actually, jokingly [Christian] Lundgaard asked me: ‘So, boss, last lap, we’re fighting for the win and I’m leading and you’re second…’ I said, ‘You better watch it, because I’m going for it.’” However, Kanaan emphasized that he intends to race cleanly and avoid putting his teammates in danger during such battles.

In summary, Tony Kanaan’s high praise for Kyle Larson highlights Larson’s exceptional ability to adapt quickly and excel in different racing disciplines, reinforcing his status as one of the most versatile and talented drivers in motorsports today. Meanwhile, Larson’s commitment to competing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 showcases his ambition and determination to succeed at the highest levels in multiple racing series.