Kyle Larson, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has openly shared his frustration and embarrassment after his unsuccessful attempts at the Indianapolis 500 over the past two years. Aiming to complete ‘The Double’—competing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—Larson has struggled to achieve the desired results despite strong efforts with Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports. His ongoing Kyle Larson Indy 500 struggles have been a notable challenge in his cross-series ambitions.
In the 2024 Indy 500, Larson qualified fifth with Arrow McLaren and briefly took the lead after electing to stay out during pit stops. Unfortunately, severe weather delays that extended the race by several hours impacted his strategy, ultimately finishing 18th. These delays also disrupted his broader plan to compete in both events on the same day. Following this, Larson expressed his discouragement and reluctance to attempt the double again.
“If the opportunity was there. I think my Double was so bad that I’m too embarrassed to get back in,” Kyle Larson said.
Setbacks During Back-to-Back Seasons and Races
Although Larson earned the Rookie of the Year award at the 2024 Indy 500, his return the following season proved more difficult. Starting 19th on the grid in 2025, Larson crashed after about 91 laps, which further compounded his frustrations. His difficulties continued at the Coca-Cola 600 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where his No. 5 Chevrolet collided with the wall and became involved in a multi-car crash. Despite these setbacks, Larson showed resilience at Phoenix Raceway, where he managed a third-place finish during a recent NASCAR event.
Impressions from the Phoenix Race and Persistent Frustrations
At Phoenix Raceway, Larson began near the front of the pack but experienced some loss of position during the race. He spent much of the time within the top 10 and gradually advanced back toward the leaders during the closing stages, ultimately finishing third behind Christopher Bell and winner Ryan Blaney. Despite this podium finish, Larson conveyed his dissatisfaction and the pressing need to improve his team’s performance.
“Was not expecting that with how bad we were, but again, proud of the team, and yeah, just got to get a lot better here. It’s rewarding to run like (expletive) all day and finish third, but I would love to come here and control our own destiny and lead laps, get stage points, all that sort of stuff, and then get a good finish,” Kyle Larson said.
Ongoing Determination Amidst Cross-Series Competition
Despite his recent struggles and expressed embarrassment, Larson remains a key figure attempting to bridge IndyCar and NASCAR competitions. His drive to complete ‘The Double’ highlights not only his ambition but also the physical and strategic challenges presented by racing in both high-stakes events on the same day. With several prominent drivers such as Christopher Bell and Ryan Blaney competing closely, Larson’s journey reflects the intense competition across multiple series at venues like Indianapolis, Phoenix, and Charlotte.
Larson’s experiences underscore the difficulty of successfully navigating the demands of the Indy 500 alongside NASCAR’s rigorous schedule. His acknowledgment of setbacks and commitment to improvement signal a critical phase in his racing career, with fans and teams alike watching to see if he can overcome these hurdles in future seasons.
Kyle Larson back in INDYCAR? Alex Palou trying NASCAR?
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/PM4HY6tzEP
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) March 10, 2026
