Kyle Larson warns gamblers not to bet on him to win Indy 500

Kyle Larson is ready to do big things at the Indy 500 next weekend but is not betting on himself to win the iconic race. When Larson heard he was second betting choice (according to BetMGM Sportsbook) to win the Indy 500, he couldn’t believe it.

“That’s crazy, that doesn’t make any sense to me,” Larson said, per the Associated Press. “I think people are wasting their money. But, maybe not? I guess I hope to add people wasting their money on me.”

Larson is the second betting choice at 13-2. He’s right behind Alex Palou who sits at 4-1. Larson was shocked he was listed ahead of Scott Dixon who won the Indy 500 in 2008 and has won the IndyCar Series Championship six times.

Larson is looking to become the fifth driver in history to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Tony Stewart is the only one to finish the two races. Larson has not talked to Stewart about his attempts, but he did talk to Kurt Busch who attempted “The Double” in 2014. Busch finished sixth at Indy but did not complete the Coca-Cola 600 because of engine failure.

Kyle Larson on track to win second Cup Series title

Completing “The Double” would be big for Larson who is already having a strong 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. He has won two Cup Series races, earned six top five finishes and has led 649 laps. Larson is currently in first place in the Cup Series standings and on track to win his second Cup Series title.

After finishing second in the Cup Series Championship last year, Larson talked about what he was looking forward to in 2024. “Our pit crew and pit road just really kept us in the game,” Larson said, via Hendrick Motorsports. “We weren’t the greatest on the track, but I was hoping for pit stops because I knew the way our team executed our lights and the way our pit crew can execute a fast pit stop. They did everything in their power to give us the winning job done there. A huge thank you to them. 

“I needed to come out the leader on that restart. Ross (Chastain) got a really good start from the second row. Was hoping I could’ve got clear of Denny (Hamlin), get the lead and have Ross protect behind me. I’m not sure that would’ve made a difference. I was just not as good as a few guys, especially Blaney and Ross. My team did a really good job all season. I’m extremely proud of them.”

On3’s Jonathan Howard contributed to this story.