Kyle Larson is preparing for the challenging 2025 Indy-Charlotte Double, aiming to become one of the few drivers in history to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. This ambitious attempt highlights Larson’s pursuit of solidifying his legacy in NASCAR by conquering one of motorsports’ ultimate tests.
Larson will start the Indianapolis 500 from the 19th position and, assuming weather conditions allow, he plans to race in the Coca-Cola 600 later that evening at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This 1,100-mile ordeal, known simply as The Double, demands not only elite driving skill but also precise logistics and endurance, given the back-to-back scheduling of America’s two most prestigious races.
The Challenging History of The Indy-Charlotte Double
The Indianapolis 500 has been the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing for over a century, attracting top drivers globally. In contrast, the Coca-Cola 600, held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, is NASCAR’s longest and most demanding race. The combination of these two events in a single day is a grueling feat rarely attempted due to the sheer distance, time constraints, and physical toll on drivers.
The possibility of racing in both events on the same day emerged in the 1990s, after night racing lights were installed at Charlotte, allowing the 600 to be run in the evening following the Indy 500’s afternoon finish. Before this, overlaps made competing in both impossible.
John Andretti Pioneers the First Indy-Charlotte Double in 1994
John Andretti, nephew of the legendary Mario Andretti, was the first driver to attempt The Double in 1994. Having transitioned from open-wheel racing and with strong family ties to the Brickyard, Andretti qualified 10th at Indianapolis driving an A.J. Foyt-owned Lola and secured a ninth-place start for the Coca-Cola 600. After finishing 10th in the Indy 500, he flew directly to Charlotte and started the 600, completing 220 laps before his race ended due to a crankshaft failure, placing 36th.
Later that year, Andretti showcased his versatility by also competing in the inaugural Brickyard 400, becoming the first to run both the Indy 500 and the Brickyard 400 within the same racing season.
Davy Jones Seeks The Double in 1995 but Falls Short
In 1995, Davy Jones aimed to emulate Andretti by racing in both events. Driving for Dick Simon at Indianapolis and Jasper Motorsports in NASCAR, he qualified for the Indy 500 but was unable to make the Coca-Cola 600 field, missing out due to insufficient speed in qualifying. Jones finished 23rd at the Indy 500 that year but ultimately could not complete The Double.
A forgotten figure in the history of the Indy-Charlotte Double: Davy JonesJones tried to do the Double in 1995, but he wasn’t fast enough to qualify for the #CocaCola600. He had to settle for racing in only the #Indy500 where he finished 23rd. pic.twitter.com/uNHna2IEVh
—Steven Taranto
Robby Gordon Faces Weather Obstacles in Multiple Attempts
Robby Gordon’s determination to conquer The Double led to several tries, starting in 1997 when rain forced the Indy 500 to Monday postponement. This delay prevented Gordon from running both races on the same day; he only completed the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, finishing 41st after a crash. The next day, he ran the Indy 500 but retired early due to fire damage.
In 2000, Gordon qualified well for both races but again encountered rain delays. While he finished sixth at Indianapolis, he was unable to start his car in Charlotte due to postponed start times. Although reserve driver P.J. Jones began the Coca-Cola 600, Gordon took over mid-race and completed the event. However, NASCAR rules credited Jones with the start and driver points, excluding Gordon from official Double completion records.
From 2002 to 2004, Gordon made three consecutive attempts at The Double. In 2002, his best year, he finished eighth in the Indy 500 and 16th at Charlotte. In 2003 and 2004, mechanical failures and weather once more disrupted his chances, with rain shortening his final Indy 500 attempt and forcing a relief driver to step in, while Gordon still managed to compete at Charlotte.
Tony Stewart Achieves Unprecedented Double Completion
Tony Stewart first attempted The Double in 1999, finishing ninth in the Indy 500 and fourth in the Coca-Cola 600 during his rookie NASCAR season. He returned in 2001 with even greater success. Stewart qualified seventh for the Indy 500, led laps, and finished sixth. Later that day, he finished a strong third in the Coke 600, becoming the only driver to ever complete the combined 1,100 miles of both races entirely on the same day.
Kurt Busch’s 2014 Double: A Modern-Day Example
Kurt Busch made headlines in 2014 by completing the Double for Andretti Autosport, participating in his first IndyCar event. He qualified 12th and finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500, but despite flying to Charlotte to race in the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 for Stewart-Haas Racing, Busch’s day ended with a 40th-place finish due to engine failure. His run proved that modern drivers maintain the endurance and skill to compete at elite levels in both disciplines on the same day.
Kyle Larson’s 2024 Attempt Derailed by Weather
Last year, Kyle Larson made his Indianapolis 500 debut with a strong qualifying effort, starting fifth and eventually finishing 18th following a pit road speeding penalty. On the same day, Larson had planned to race in the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte after a high qualifying position. However, persistent rain delayed the start of the Indy 500 and forced Larson to miss the opening laps of the Charlotte race.
Reserve driver Justin Allgaier began the Coca-Cola 600 in Larson’s car, with plans for Larson to take over mid-race. Unfortunately, another rainstorm halted the Charlotte event after 249 laps, meaning Larson never managed to pilot the car in the race. According to NASCAR rules, Allgaier received credit for the finish and points. Larson was granted a waiver to maintain playoff eligibility, and later redeemed his weekend at Indianapolis by winning the Brickyard 400 in July.
Kyle Larson’s Mindset and Preparation for Another Attempt
Kyle Larson expressed confidence in his ability to handle the pressures and logistical challenges of The Double. Reflecting on his experience, he emphasized his frequent travel and quick race transitions as beneficial preparation. He said,
I travel around so much and race and fly in last minute for sprint car races and jump straight in and I think that will help the mindset of what it will be like for the 600,
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series driver
I think for sure, for me it’s not like a culture shock at all to be here and then traveling around to race. It’s what I do every week. Time windows are tight so often, so it doesn’t seem any different than a normal weekend for me.
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Cup Series driver
Significance and Outlook for the 2025 Indy-Charlotte Double
Kyle Larson’s return to the Indy-Charlotte Double in 2025 highlights the enduring allure and difficulty of this motorsport milestone. Achieving this feat demands extraordinary skill, stamina, and dedication, and success would firmly establish Larson among the all-time greats who mastered both open-wheel and stock car racing on the most demanding day in American motorsports.
As Larson aligns his preparation for The Double, the racing community watches with anticipation, aware that weather, travel logistics, and in-race challenges all remain key factors. Should Larson complete the 1,100 miles at Indy and Charlotte next year, he would join an exclusive club with Tony Stewart and others who have pushed the limits of driver endurance and versatility.
