Solely a handful of drivers have stepped as much as the daunting activity of attempting to finish 1,100 miles as a part of ‘The Double’ on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend, however Cole Pearn has tabbed others that may very well be profitable.
This yr options Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Collection champion, set to roll off fifth in his maiden Indianapolis 500 on Sunday as a part of the primary leg earlier than heading to Charlotte for the 600-mile Cup race because the nightcap.
When Larson takes the inexperienced flag for the Indy 500 within the No. 17 Arrow McLaren-Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, he’ll develop into solely the fifth driver to try the endurance feat, however first since Kurt Busch in 2014. Others embody John Andretti, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart, who’s the one driver to finish all 1,100 miles after ending sixth within the Indy 500 and third in Charlotte in 2001.
For his half, Pearn has the distinctive perspective of seeing each occasions. Identified for being a key a part of guiding Martin Truex Jr. to the 2017 Cup championship, he ended up in a one-off effort within the Indy 500 with Ed Carpenter Racing in 2020, roughly 9 months after stepping away from racing full-time.
Though Pearn hasn’t returned since, he has took an understanding to the problem and believes a couple of present Cup Collection drivers might make a profitable shot on the Indy 500.
“The expertise stage is excessive,” Pearn advised Motorsport.com. “Clearly, Larson, however so lots of these guys proper now I believe might do this. Kyle might do it, for positive. A few of these youthful guys appear to be getting a maintain of it higher and higher.
“It takes time. The Cup stage is difficult, proper? It is actually arduous to return as a rookie and do nicely; it is even more durable now. They watered down the Xfinity racing a lot with not having Cup regulars in there and stuff like that. These guys that yeah, they’re profitable Xfinity races, nevertheless it’s a tall fence between these two sequence and it takes a very long time for them to determine on the Cup stage.
Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, DEWALT 100 Years Toyota Camry
Photograph by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
“However yeah, you bought (Ryan) Blaney, (Chase) Elliott and that crew. Clearly, Larson is in there.
“I believe Christopher Bell can be one. I believe he might doubtlessly be actually good in any automotive. He is loopy proficient. I nonetheless work with Gibbs. I work of their aero division, so I get to see it somewhat bit and every thing I’ve seen of him is nothing however spectacular, for positive.”
