Kyle Larson is preparing to follow in the footsteps of legendary drivers by attempting the demanding double duty at this year’s Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600. Ahead of this historic challenge, Larson shared insights from a recent conversation with Tony Stewart, the iconic racer known for his unmatched double duty legacy. The dialogue highlights the passing of experience from one generation to the next as Larson aims to carve his own place in racing history.
Tony Stewart, who is 54 years old and a former champion in both IndyCar and the NASCAR Cup Series, remains a standard bearer in the double duty tradition. His passion for motorsports led him to take on the grueling challenge of racing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, not once but twice during his career.
Stewart’s initial double duty attempt was commendable, but it was his second that set a high bar for excellence. That day, he completed all 600 laps across both races, achieving an impressive third-place finish at the Coca-Cola 600 and sixth place at the Indy 500. These performances established a benchmark that has inspired drivers like Larson. Last year, Larson sought to repeat this feat but was forced to abandon the stock car race due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Fortunately, this year’s forecast appears more favorable, allowing Larson to proceed with his attempt to cover the entire 1,100 miles in one day. While many drivers rely solely on their own experience, Larson recognized the value of receiving guidance from Stewart, who knows firsthand the physical and mental demands of this undertaking.
Before the race, Larson and Stewart reconnected in a phone call. Stewart, moving into a broadcast role for the Indy 500 this year, reached out to check on Larson’s preparations and share any valuable insights. Larson described the call as a meaningful opportunity to catch up and discuss the unique challenges of the race day:
“I talked to Tony on the phone the other day mostly just because he’s getting in the broadcast booth on Sunday so he was checking in to see how things were going and what may be different than last year and stuff like that. It was good to catch up with him. I haven’t talked to him in a while, so it was good to chat on the phone.” —Kyle Larson, 2021 Cup Series Champion
Despite last year’s setback in completing the double duty, Larson is focused on the task ahead. His qualifying effort placed him 21st initially, which was a step back from his previous year’s higher starting position. However, after two Team Penske entries were penalized for illegal rear-end modifications, his position improved to 19th, providing a slight boost as race day nears.
Kyle Larson Reflects on His Starting Spot for the Indy 500
Though not his most favorable qualifying result, Larson expressed satisfaction with his starting place, emphasizing the strategic balance of speed and control required on race day. He acknowledged that a stronger qualifying position would be ideal but remains confident in his ability to advance during the race:
“Obviously, we’d love to be in the Fast 12 again, but overall a good day with two runs in. I felt pretty balanced, but that comes with a compromise of a bit of speed. I had a bad restart last year and fell back toward this starting position, and we were able to fight our way forward. We’ll be ready to execute some good laps and have a good result.” —Kyle Larson
Within the McLaren team, Larson was not the slowest qualifier, as teammate Nolan Siegel secured 24th place on the grid. This internal comparison highlights the competitive nature of the field and the collaborative effort of the team leading into race day.
Kyle Larson’s return to the iconic double duty challenge underscores the enduring appeal and difficulty of competing in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. With Tony Stewart’s guidance and the backing of Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports, Larson aims to uphold the Tony Stewart double duty Indy 500 legacy while pushing his own limits. The motorsports world eagerly anticipates whether Larson can match or perhaps surpass Stewart’s remarkable achievements, transforming this year’s event into a historic moment in racing.
