Kyle Larson has qualified to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Sunday, attempting the challenging Memorial Day Double. He will first race 500 miles at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and then travel to Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete in NASCAR’s longest race of the year, covering an additional 600 miles.
Larson secured the second starting position for the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 after posting a lap speed of 182.759 mph, just behind pole winner Chase Briscoe’s 182.852 mph. This positioning puts Larson in a favorable spot as he eyes completing a feat achieved by only four drivers before him, including Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch.
Context and Challenges of Attempting The Double
The Memorial Day Double is an endurance challenge that involves two grueling races held at two different tracks on the same day. Kyle Larson, who won the Coca-Cola 600 in 2021, now aims to become the fifth driver to finish both events on the same day. Past drivers who completed the double are John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch.
Larson’s 2024 attempt was disrupted by weather delays. A four-hour rain stoppage at the Indy 500 contributed to a disappointing 18th-place finish after a pit road speeding penalty. Furthermore, rain also halted the Coca-Cola 600 after 249 of the scheduled 400 laps, forcing Larson to pause his race and leading substitute Justin Allgaier to finish 13th on his behalf.
This year’s weather forecast for both Indianapolis and Charlotte appears more favorable, raising hopes for a smoother attempt at completing both races in full.
Complete Starting Lineup for the Coca-Cola 600
The starting grid for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway features Chase Briscoe on pole, closely followed by Kyle Larson in second. The top ten starters include William Byron, Chris Buescher, AJ Allmendinger, John Hunter Nemechek, Ty Gibbs, Noah Gragson, Alex Bowman, and Christopher Bell.
Other notable drivers starting the race are Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Tyler Reddick, Justin Haley, Austin Cindric, Michael McDowell, Joey Logano, Jimmie Johnson, Josh Berry, Ty Dillon, and Denny Hamlin. The lineup blends veterans and rookies, highlighting a competitive field vying for victory in the NASCAR season’s longest event.
Significance and What Lies Ahead for Larson
Kyle Larson’s 2025 Memorial Day Double attempt continues to attract attention because of its difficulty and rarity. With favorable weather conditions and a strong starting position in the Coca-Cola 600, Larson has improved prospects compared to last year. Successfully completing the Indy 500 before racing 600 miles later the same day would place him among a very exclusive group of drivers in motorsports history.
The racing community and fans will closely follow his progress at both Indianapolis and Charlotte as he attempts to make history during this challenging Memorial Day weekend.
