Kyle Larson enters the Indianapolis Speedway this weekend determined to overturn a difficult streak, as he prepares to compete in two races in a single weekend. Known as the “Kyle Larson Indy double comeback,” this effort follows a rocky segment earlier in the season where his performance declined after a strong start.
After capturing three victories early, Larson’s momentum was halted by incidents during his last double race attempt on May 25. First, he experienced a crash in the Indy 500, then after quickly moving to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, he suffered another wreck, finishing 37th. This double misfortune marked the beginning of a challenging phase for the Hendrick Motorsports driver.
Challenging Months Followed Double Race Setbacks
Following the Charlotte race, Larson struggled to find consistency. In the next seven races, he managed only one top-five finish and led just three laps overall, surprising many fans and commentators within the <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR community. However, his recent performance at Dover appears to signal a turnaround. Starting from 25th on the grid, Larson improved to finish fourth, recovering vital points.
His fourth-place finish earned him 40 points, which boosted him to third position in the overall season standings, keeping him solidly in contention for the regular season championship. This result has reignited hopes that Larson can regain his earlier form as the season progresses toward Indianapolis.
Expanding His Weekend Slate with an Additional Xfinity Series Race
Looking ahead to the Indianapolis weekend, Larson will not limit himself to the main Cup Series race. Instead, he plans to add the NASCAR Xfinity Series event on Saturday to his schedule. This decision reflects his desire to maximize track time and improve performance after recent setbacks.
NASCAR journalist Joseph Sirgley announced this plan on social media, noting Larson’s commitment to racing the Xfinity Series car No. 17 for Hendrick Motorsports at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
NEWS: @KyleLarsonRacin will compete in Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series event at @IMS, adding another race to his schedule in the No. 17 for @TeamHendrick.#NASCAR
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) July 21, 2025
Following Dover, Larson expressed optimism about the direction his season is taking. In a recent interview, he remarked,
It’s good to get a top-five finish and get back on the horse there. Hopefully, we can string together some good runs now.
His ambitions for Indianapolis extend beyond a solid showing; he is focused on winning both the Xfinity and Cup Series races during the Brickyard weekend.
Confidence Built on Recent Performances and Past Success at the Brickyard
Larson’s confidence is supported by his recent successful outings and his status as the defending winner of the Brickyard Cup race. His experience driving the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports car in the Xfinity series has been particularly strong this year, with a solid fourth-place finish at Homestead-Miami followed by a victory in Bristol.
Despite this, transitioning between car types during such a busy weekend remains a considerable challenge. Switching from stock cars to the open-wheel cars raced in the Indy 500 demands rapid adaptation, and Larson has just one week to prepare.
The upcoming weekend at Indianapolis will be a true test of Larson’s resilience and skill as he attempts to rebound and cement his position among the season’s top competitors.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Kyle Larson better than Verstappen?
A. While Larson might not surpass Verstappen in Formula 1, he is exceptionally adaptable across different racing formats. Bianchi believes Larson stands out because his achievements cover a wide range of vehicles. He successfully competes and wins in many different kinds of races.
