Kyle Larson has announced he will no longer pursue the grueling Indy-Charlotte Double, a challenge involving competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Speaking on Friday ahead of the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, Larson expressed that he has “no desire” to risk the demanding feat again due to its difficulty and past outcomes.
Larson said,
“I will have FOMO from running the Indy 500,”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
He acknowledged the appeal of the Indy 500 but was clear about not wanting to repeat the Double after unsuccessful attempts in recent years.
Challenges and Setbacks During Recent Attempts
Larson’s efforts to complete the Double have been hampered by a mix of bad luck and mechanical or driver errors. His 2023 attempt was prevented by weather, with rain causing delays and interruptions on Memorial Day weekend. During the 109th Indianapolis 500, the race start was delayed from 12:45 p.m. ET to 1:35 p.m. due to rain, followed by incidents including Scott McLaughlin’s crash during pace laps and Marco Andretti’s wreck on the first lap.
Larson himself crashed on Lap 91 after a caution caused by drizzling rain around Lap 20, which effectively ended his race, and he was credited with a 27th-place finish.
The Impact of Scheduling and Playoff Implications on Larson’s Decision
Even if Larson had avoided the crash, contractual and strategic considerations would have complicated his Double attempt. Team owner Rick Hendrick would have needed to remove Larson from his car in order for him to reach Charlotte Motor Speedway in time for the Coca-Cola 600 start. Missing the start in Charlotte would have meant losing all season playoff points, ending Larson’s run for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.
Events at the Coca-Cola 600 and the Final Decision
Starting second at Charlotte, Larson had promising pace and even led the race on Lap 42. However, a spin-out caused by his own handling error, followed by involvement in the Lap 245 caution, forced his retirement from the race. Reflecting on these events, Larson admitted the Double was extremely challenging.
“The Double is just a tough undertaking,”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
“The window of time is too tight. Even if I didn’t wreck, I don’t think I would have made it here on time and probably would have had to end that race short anyways.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
“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.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver
Contractual Context and What Lies Ahead
This was the final year of a two-year partnership between Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren, the team supporting Larson in this venture. The logistical hurdles and risk factors outlined by Larson demonstrate how demanding the Double is, both physically and strategically.
Although he regrets not having another chance to compete in the Indy 500 under better circumstances, Larson’s decision to step away from the Double prioritizes his Cup Series championship ambitions and practical considerations related to timing and durability.
