Kyle Larson’s 2025 attempt to complete the grueling Memorial Day weekend Double—racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—ended in disappointment once again, leaving the driver uncertain about trying the feat in the future. Following his struggles at both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte’s oval, Larson expressed serious doubts about pursuing the Kyle Larson Indy 500 and Coke 600 Double Attempt moving forward.
Inside the Difficulty of Completing The Double
Larson, aged 32, has now tried the Double twice, but each effort has fallen short, highlighting why only Tony Stewart has ever completed all 1,110 miles of these two iconic races on the same day. The extreme demands of traveling between venues and competing in two grueling races with very little time in between remain a significant hurdle.
Addressing NBC Sports after his failed finish at the Coke 600, Larson explained,
The Double is just a tough undertaking,
and added that even without crashing, the tight schedule alone would have forced him to cut the Charlotte race short.
So I don’t really think it’s worth it. But I would love to run the Indy 500 again. Just doing the Double I think is just logistically too tough.
Race Day Setbacks Amplify Frustrations
Larson’s race day was marked by high hopes turned sour, culminating in a 37th-place finish at the Coke 600 after suffering two crashes—first while leading early on lap 43, then again following contact from Daniel Suarez on lap 245. Reflecting on the recent challenges, Larson admitted to NBC Sports,
it’s so fresh right now I don’t really have a good answer for you.
The 2024 race was further complicated by weather delays, as a four-hour rain suspension during the Indy 500 in 2024 had already disrupted Larson’s plans to get to Charlotte on time. The 2025 edition faced similar issues, with Sunday’s Indy 500 starting about an hour late due to additional rain interruptions, creating a domino effect that threw Larson’s day into disarray.
Specific Moments That Impacted Larson’s Performance
Starting 21st at the Indy 500, Larson ran into trouble early when he stalled on pit road during a lap-18 caution, losing significant track position by dropping from 19th to 31st. After recovering to 18th by lap 91, he made a critical error by downshifting at the wrong moment entering turn two, which caused him to lose control and trigger the fifth caution period of the day.
Combining his laps at Indianapolis and Charlotte, Larson was only able to complete 595 miles of the intended 1,110, far short of the full Double distance. These setbacks effectively ended his bid to finish both events in 2025.
Larson Contemplates His Future with The Double
Heading into the post-race Indy 500 banquet, FOX Sports revisited the topic with Larson regarding his future intentions for the Double. Larson remained cautious and realistic, stating,
I haven’t really thought about it too much,
and stressed the logistical difficulties, saying,
I think The Double is just kind of hard to do logistically, like after thinking about it more — not even thinking about it more, just realizing after the race I wouldn’t have been able to finish the whole thing. It’s just the windows are too tight so there’s a lot that goes into it, and I don’t think The Double would happen again. But hopefully someday I can run the Indy 500 again. I definitely want to do that.
Despite the frustration, Larson remains committed to racing the Indy 500 again but appears ready to step away from the physically and logistically taxing challenge of doubling up with the Coca-Cola 600.
The Broader Impact and What Lies Ahead
Kyle Larson’s struggles highlight the immense difficulty of successfully competing in The Double, a task that has challenged and often defeated many drivers outside the likes of Tony Stewart, who accomplished the feat in 2001. The unpredictable nature of weather, the intense physical toll of two races on the same day, and tight scheduling windows emphasize why it remains a rare achievement in motorsports.
As Larson looks ahead, his focus appears to be narrowing toward excelling at the Indianapolis 500 individually rather than risking the compounded difficulties of combining it with the Coke 600. His experience serves as a cautionary tale that underscores the logistical and competitive challenges faced by drivers seeking to conquer this unique Memorial Day weekend doubleheader.
