Kyle Larson has yet to complete the challenging Indy-Charlotte Double, failing in both his attempts so far, including the difficult 2025 effort. With no firm plans announced for another try in 2026, Larson faces mounting pressure regarding this ambitious pursuit. Kevin Harvick, a FOX Sports analyst and former NASCAR champion, has urged Larson to reconsider continuing with the intense challenge, emphasizing the toll it takes on his NASCAR performance.
Kevin Harvick Advises Larson to Prioritize NASCAR Over Indy-Charlotte Double
Kevin Harvick expressed hope that Larson’s latest bid at the 1,100-mile double race would be his last, suggesting the impact on his NASCAR results has been significant. Speaking on the Happy Hour podcast, Harvick encouraged Larson to concentrate on his primary NASCAR schedule rather than risking the double again.
“I’m happy that he did it. I think it was great for racing. I hope it’s the last time.” —Kevin Harvick, FOX Sports Analyst
Harvick elaborated on the difficulties Larson faced, explaining that the intense demands of the double may have detracted from his race weekend performance. He said,
“At this point, he just needs to focus on the NASCAR side of it. I think if he went to IndyCar and just ran the IndyCar schedule full-time, he’d go over there and be fine. It’s great that he can do it, but I think it took away from the NASCAR side of it this week with the circumstances.”
Reflecting on the mental strain involved, Harvick added,
“But even the best, when the confidence gets knocked down and you know you want to do great things, you can mentally talk yourself into doing things you shouldn’t and step over that line. I’m happy that he did it. I think it was great for racing. I hope it’s the last time.”
Obstacles and Setbacks in Larson’s Indy-Charlotte Double Attempts
Larson’s attempts to complete the grueling racing double at the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been marred by a combination of adverse weather and personal mishaps. His 2025 run began poorly with two crashes during practice sessions at Indianapolis. In the race itself, Larson crashed on Lap 91, ending his chances at the Indy 500.
Even if Larson had managed to finish the Indianapolis race, the tight schedule would have forced him to leave early to make it to Charlotte on time. Starting second at the Coca-Cola 600, Larson initially appeared strong but spun out while leading on Lap 42. Later, during a Lap 245 caution, he was involved in another incident, ending his race prematurely. These events culminated in another unsuccessful double attempt and left Larson uncertain about trying again.
Kyle Larson Reflects on the Demands of Attempting the Double
Speaking candidly about the possibility of future attempts, Larson admitted the challenge remains daunting and the schedule unforgiving. He said,
“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
Larson pointed out the limited time between the two races as a critical barrier, adding that even without crashing, completing both events was unlikely given the short turnaround.
Harvick Analyzes How Confidence and Conditions Impacted Larson’s Performance
Harvick further explained how Larson’s confidence appeared shaken by the difficulties at Indianapolis. He emphasized the unusual difficulty of the 2025 Indianapolis Motor Speedway conditions, which contributed to the struggles during the event.
“I think that last year, the cars were a lot easier to drive. He wrecked three times this year in the Indy car,”
Harvick noted, then added,
“I think he came back to the 600 wanting to just absolutely smash the field and I think he stepped over the limit a couple times and got himself in trouble just wanting to rebound and show everybody from the Indy 500 a scenario that he was the man. He’s still the man, but even the guys like Kyle Larson can be affected by that confidence piece that goes with the driving, how you think, the process that you go through.”
He continued by highlighting the tougher conditions that year for all drivers, remarking,
“I think that last year was great. This year, he had a lot of trouble with the car. A lot of guys had a lot of trouble with the car with how hard it was to drive. Tough conditions with the cool temperatures and chaos on the restarts. They had a lot of trouble passing at Indy, you saw those two lap cars at the end of the race the leader couldn’t even pass.”
Implications for Larson’s Career and Future Double Attempts
The challenges faced by Larson in his Indy-Charlotte Double attempts illustrate the extreme difficulty of competing at the highest level across two demanding races in one day. While Larson’s ambition has drawn attention and excitement, the toll on his performance and confidence is palpable. Harvick’s advice signals a likely shift in focus for Larson, possibly toward fully committing to NASCAR events without the added stress of the double.
Given the lack of a planned attempt in 2026 and the logistical obstacles Larson highlighted, fans and observers may see Larson concentrate on maximizing his results in the NASCAR Cup Series going forward. This realignment could allow him to leverage his talents more consistently, without the distractions and physical demands of the double.
