With the potential for a conflict due to Kyle Larson’s attempt to run the double of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600, Larson will be needed in Indianapolis for both practice and qualifying on NASCAR All Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The Indy 500 practice session set for May 17th and qualifying set for May 18th, Larson is also due to be in North Wilkesboro on Friday for qualifying and Saturday for the heat races for the All Star Race, Hendrick Motorsports has tapped former NASCAR Cup Series champion and current FOX Sports announcer Kevin Harvick to take over the No. 5 car should Larson miss getting back to North Wilkesboro in time.
“When Rick 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.”
Larson is the defending winner of the All Star Race and first NASCAR Cup Series driver to win at the newly reopened North Wilkesboro since another Hendrick driver, Jeff Gordon, did it back in 1996 when the track closed.
Harvick, who retired following the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, has 60 victories to his name in the series.
The NASCAR All Star Race is set for Sunday, May 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
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