Kyle Larson’s attempt to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day ended in disappointment on race day, renewing doubts about the feasibility of the challenging motorsport double. Despite making it to both marquee events in 2025, Larson crashed in each race, sparking renewed debate about whether the industry is doing enough to support such a demanding crossover challenge.
Larson qualified 21st for the Indy 500 driving for Arrow McLaren and planned to immediately fly to Charlotte to race in NASCAR’s longest event. However, a rain delay pushed the Indianapolis start time back by 43 minutes to 1:29 p.m. ET. On Lap 91, Larson lost control in Turn 2, hitting the SAFER barrier, which forced him to retire from the race in 27th position.
After exiting the Indy 500, Larson took a helicopter to Concord, arriving just minutes before driver introductions for the Coca-Cola 600 at 5:16 p.m. He started the Charlotte race in second place and briefly led laps. His night ended abruptly on Lap 246 when he was caught in a multi-car accident and was forced to retire, finishing 37th. This marked Larson’s second unsuccessful Double attempt after the 2024 effort was thwarted by rain in Charlotte.
Despite the setbacks, Larson’s determination earned praise within the racing community. Justin Marks, co-owner of Trackhouse Racing and former business partner of Larson, offered a strong endorsement of the Double and called for greater industry cooperation during a post-race press conference.
“If I was running everything, I would do everything in my power to make sure things like that Double can happen. Because I think it’s an amazing opportunity for NASCAR fans that want to watch their favorite NASCAR driver, maybe watch the Indy 500 for the first time, learn about IndyCars, learn new stories, and vice versa.” —Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing co-owner
Kyle Larson expresses doubts about the viability of the Double despite industry enthusiasm
The logistical challenges of Larson’s 2025 schedule were apparent as he managed to make both races but struggled with the tight timing. Only four drivers in history—John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Kurt Busch, and Tony Stewart—have attempted the full Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 Double, with Stewart being the sole competitor to finish both races in 2001, completing 1,100 miles in total.
Following the Coca-Cola 600, Larson was candid about the difficulty of the Double challenge.
“The Double is just a tough undertaking. The window of time is too tight. Even if I didn’t wreck, I don’t think I would have made it here (Charlotte) on time and probably would have had to end that race short anyways. So I don’t really think it’s worth it… Just doing the Double I think is just logistically too tough.” —Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Larson’s assessment contrasts with Marks’ vision for motorsports as a united front rather than competing factions.
“My heart breaks for Kyle… I know how important the speedway is to him. I’m a believer that I don’t think motorsports should be in competition with each other. I don’t think the industry is big enough for us to be trying to make things difficult on each other. I think there’s strength and collaboration between the two.” —Justin Marks, Trackhouse Racing co-owner
Marks urged NASCAR and IndyCar officials to view the Double not as a disruption but as an opportunity, encouraging them to find solutions that make competing in both events more feasible.
Challenges and opportunities for the future of the Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 Double
The Double remains one of the most physically and logistically demanding feats in American motorsports. The success of Tony Stewart in 2001 highlighted its difficulty and rarity, and Larson’s recent attempts have shown how tight scheduling and race incidents create nearly insurmountable obstacles. The close timing between the end of the Indy 500 and the start of the Coca-Cola 600 leaves little margin for delays or recovery.
Industry voices like Marks see potential benefits beyond individual driver achievements. Promoting cross-series participation could draw in fans from both NASCAR and IndyCar, broadening motorsport audiences and stories, as well as creating new promotional and sponsorship opportunities.
At present, Larson remains uncertain about undertaking another Double bid, given the heavy physical strain and tight timing logistics. However, should influential voices like Justin Marks continue advocating for better coordination and support, the Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 Double might be revived into a celebrated motorsport tradition once again, fostering closer ties between NASCAR and IndyCar and delivering a compelling spectacle for fans nationwide.
