Kyle Larson prepares for his second attempt at the challenging Indy-Charlotte Double on Sunday, a rare feat that involves competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. After last year’s rain delay disrupted his plans, Larson will aim to complete all 1,100 miles if weather conditions permit, pursuing a goal few drivers have managed in motorsports history.
The Indy-Charlotte Double is one of the most demanding endeavors in racing, requiring quick transitions between two iconic tracks and two different racing disciplines. Last year, Larson qualified fifth at Indianapolis but was delayed by rain, forcing him to prioritize the Indy 500 and preventing him from properly competing in Charlotte. This year, he starts from the 19th position at Indianapolis, continuing the long tradition of NASCAR drivers crossing over to IndyCar’s marquee race.
Origins and the Demands of Racing Both Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the Same Day
For over a century, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been home to The Greatest Spectacle in Racing, attracting the world’s best drivers. Alongside the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, these two events represent the highest level of competition in American motorsports. The challenge of running both races in one day began in earnest after the Charlotte 600 was moved to an evening schedule in the 1990s, making the transition technically possible for the first time.
Throughout racing history, many drivers have attempted to participate in both events on race day. This undertaking demands not only racing skill but precision timing, endurance, and adaptability to different vehicles and track conditions. Completing the full distance in both races—totaling around 1,100 miles—remains a rare and difficult accomplishment.
John Andretti: Pioneering the Indy-Charlotte Double in 1994
John Andretti, nephew of racing legend Mario Andretti, was the first driver to take on the Indy-Charlotte Double in 1994. After building a career in open-wheel racing and transitioning to NASCAR, he combined his family legacy at Indianapolis with his stock car ambitions. Andretti qualified 10th for the Indy 500, driving a Lola owned by A.J. Foyt, and also secured a ninth-place starting spot for the Coca-Cola 600.
After finishing 10th in the Indy 500, Andretti managed to reach Charlotte in time for the NASCAR event’s start. Despite completing only 220 of the scheduled 400 laps due to a crankshaft failure, his effort marked the first successful start in both races on the same day. Andretti also made history that year by competing in the inaugural Brickyard 400, becoming the first driver to run both the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400 in a single year.
Challenges and Setbacks: Davy Jones and Early Attempts in the Mid-1990s
Following Andretti’s breakthrough, Davy Jones attempted the Double in 1995, intending to race at Indianapolis with Dick Simon’s team and compete in the Coca-Cola 600 with Jasper Motorsports. However, Jones was unable to qualify for the Charlotte race, limiting his participation to the Indy 500 where he finished 23rd. This marked one of the earliest and less recognized attempts at achieving the Double.
Robby Gordon’s Persistent Pursuit Amid Weather Obstacles (1997, 2000, 2002-2004)
Robby Gordon was one of the most tenacious drivers attempting the Indy-Charlotte Double across multiple years. His 1997 effort was interrupted by rain forcing the Indy 500 to Monday, meaning he could only run the Coke 600 on the original Sunday. Gordon completed 186 laps at Charlotte before crashing, and then started the postponed Indy 500, finishing 29th after his car caught fire.
In 2000, Gordon qualified well at Indy but rain delayed the 500, preventing him from starting the Coca-Cola 600 himself. Backup driver P.J. Jones began the Charlotte race before Gordon took over mid-race. Despite running the final laps, NASCAR credited Jones as the driver of record, so Gordon did not officially complete the Double that day.
From 2002 to 2004, contesting the Double with Richard Childress Racing and Andretti Green Racing, Gordon’s success varied due to mechanical failures and weather. His best finish came in 2002 when he placed eighth at Indy and 16th at Charlotte. Rain and technical difficulties hampered his final attempts, often requiring relief drivers to step in and affecting his results.
Tony Stewart’s Historic Full Completion in 2001
Tony Stewart stands alone as the only driver to officially complete the entire Indy-Charlotte Double, finishing both events on the lead lap. In 2001, Stewart qualified seventh at Indianapolis, led 13 laps, and crossed the line sixth. He then raced to Charlotte and earned third place in the grueling Coca-Cola 600, covering all 1,100 miles in a single day, a milestone that remains unmatched.
Kurt Busch’s 2014 Crossover Attempt and 2024’s Kyle Larson Challenges
Kurt Busch was the most recent driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte Double in 2014. Making his IndyCar debut with Andretti Autosport, Busch performed strongly with a 12th-place start and sixth-place finish at Indianapolis. He then transitioned to NASCAR for the 600, completing 271 laps before an engine failure ended his race prematurely.
Kyle Larson’s 2024 debut captured attention but ended in frustration. After qualifying fifth for the Indy 500 and placing fourth in NASCAR’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, Larson planned to start both races and finish the challenging Double. However, a morning rain delay at Indianapolis forced him to prioritize, resulting in an 18th-place finish at Indy and a missed start at Charlotte.
Reserve driver Justin Allgaier began Larson’s car at Charlotte, ready to hand over the vehicle once Larson arrived, but another rainstorm halted the Coca-Cola 600 at lap 249. The race was declared official without Larson running a single lap, and while Allgaier was credited with 13th place, Larson required a NASCAR waiver to stay playoff-eligible. Larson later found some redemption by winning the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis in July.
Looking Ahead: Larson’s Ambition for 2025 and the Legacy of the Double
With the Indy-Charlotte Double demanding the utmost from its competitors, Kyle Larson’s renewed effort in 2025 will draw considerable attention from motorsport fans and analysts. If successful, he would join an exclusive group of drivers who achieved this intense dual-race accomplishment and capture a rare place in racing history.
The Double not only highlights driver versatility and stamina but also represents the unique convergence of IndyCar and NASCAR traditions. Weather remains the biggest unpredictable factor, as Larson’s experience demonstrated in 2024. As motorsports continue to evolve, the Double will remain a compelling test of speed, endurance, and logistics on one of the most significant days in American racing.
