Kyle Larson has publicly addressed the fallout from the crash that involved Scott McLaughlin at the 109th Indianapolis 500 on May 25, acknowledging his frustration and apologizing for his reaction. The NASCAR Cup Series champion expressed regret over a sarcastic thumbs-up gesture he made after McLaughlin lost control on the pace lap, a moment that sparked widespread attention amid the ongoing Kyle Larson Scott McLaughlin Indy 500 controversy.

The Team Penske driver McLaughlin was warming his tires on the main straightaway when he suddenly lost control and collided with the pit road barrier. This incident came after nearly a 45-minute rain delay that had already pushed back the start of the event. Larson, who was aiming to complete the Indy 500 in time to head to the Coca-Cola 600 as part of his bid at The Double, was visibly irritated by the additional delay caused by the crash.

Following McLaughlin’s crash, Larson called him a f*****g idiot over the team radio and made a thumbs-up gesture outside his cockpit, which was later publicly criticized. McLaughlin later revealed that Larson reached out via text to apologize for his response. This weekend, Larson made a more detailed statement about the incident, clarifying the emotions behind his actions.

Kyle Larson Explains His Reaction and Offers Full Apology

Speaking candidly about his gesture and radio comment, Larson admitted that his frustration overwhelmed his judgment. He said on FrontStretch’s YouTube channel,

“I felt really bad even before I knew that it (the clip of his team radio and gesture) hit the internet. I was frustrated because the rain was so light and the delay of the track drying. When it was already dry, it took whatever it was, 45 minutes. And then we’re coming to get lights out to go green, and I see somebody crash. Then I just reacted with more frustration. And yeah, I shouldn’t have done that.”

Larson expressed regret over the embarrassment caused by his reaction, especially given McLaughlin’s respectful nature. He added,

“So it was a bit embarrassing and I felt bad. You never want to see anybody crash out of the biggest race in the world before the green, and (McLaughlin is) somebody who has always been super respectful to me and really nice to me. I didn’t even realize it was him until I was close to alongside of him. So just wish I could have taken that back.”

Despite being the first driver to crash, McLaughlin still finished in 30th position after post-race penalties adjusted the results for three drivers who failed inspection. Similarly, Larson’s own race ended prematurely when he spun and crashed on the lap 91 restart, which also involved two other drivers, leading to further disruption during the event.

Scott McLaughlin Responds to the Controversy and Addresses Larson’s Gesture

After a video of Larson’s thumbs-up gesture circulated on social media, McLaughlin initially replied with a sarcastic comment, stating,

“Guess I’m out of the best driver in the world talks.”

This tongue-in-cheek response eventually gave way to a more conciliatory tone. In an interview with Bob Pockrass, McLaughlin confirmed that all tensions had been resolved with Larson. He explained,

“He texted me and we’re all good. I mean, I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for Kyle. I just love poking s*** at everyone too. So my tweet was about making fun of that whole conversation because that’s been such a big piece, but also I wasn’t going to let him off the hook with that either. That’s the type of person I am.”

McLaughlin praised Larson for making the effort to apologize, highlighting his respect for the driver despite the incident. He remarked,

“To his credit, Kyle texted me and apologized. He didn’t mean it. I don’t know — he’s a really respectful racer, and kudos to him for even reaching out. He didn’t need to.”

Upcoming Race Schedules Highlight Busy Weekend for Both Drivers

Both Kyle Larson and Scott McLaughlin remain focused on their respective racing commitments following the Indy 500 controversy. Larson is set to start 28th in the NASCAR Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville, continuing his campaign in the NASCAR Cup Series. Meanwhile, McLaughlin will start seventh for the Detroit Grand Prix in IndyCar, maintaining his momentum with Team Penske.

This incident underscores the high-pressure environment these drivers face, competing at top levels in both NASCAR and IndyCar series. How this event influences their dynamic going forward will be closely watched by fans, especially given their shared history of respect and recent controversy during one of motorsport’s most prestigious events.