Kyle Larson is often seen with a calm demeanor, but his frustration was evident in Indianapolis and grew stronger in Charlotte after another unsuccessful attempt to cover 1,100 miles in one day. Out of the 1,100 miles, Larson completed 595—227.5 miles shy of 500 before crashing at Indy, and at Charlotte, he managed only 367.5 miles instead of reaching 600. Larson acknowledged the challenges involved, including logistics and unpredictable weather, while also regretting his crash, wishing he could have continued to the finish.
Larson wants to compete in the Indy 500 again but feels frustrated by factors beyond his control, such as rain. In 2024, he raced the full rainy Indy 500 and later reached the halfway point in Charlotte before rain ended the event early. Although he became the fifth driver to start both races on the same day, only Tony Stewart in 2001 managed to complete all the miles, highlighting the difficulty of the feat.
Reflecting on his experience, Larson expressed a desire to race the entire event without interruptions like weather and acknowledged that mistakes were part of the learning process due to his limited experience. Despite the inherent difficulties, Justin Marks, owner of Truck House Racing, believes a driver attempting this double would boost exposure for both NASCAR and INDYCAR and is optimistic about the potential for such efforts if the schedule allowed.
The current scheduling leaves barely any time between the two races, with the Indy 500 starting just 15 to 30 minutes before the Charlotte race ends. NASCAR’s rule that a driver missing the start of the race (for non-medical reasons) forfeits all playoff points also discourages drivers from attempting the double, making it a risky choice for those contending for the championship.
Marks sees value in connecting NASCAR and INDYCAR fans through such challenges, encouraging collaboration to make it feasible. However, Larson remains disappointed by his recent attempts and recognizes the complexities involved. This may mark the end of double attempts for a while, a sentiment echoed by Larson, who expressed his frustration with the outcome.
Bob Pockras, a seasoned motorsports journalist covering NASCAR and INDYCAR for Fox Sports, offers a detailed overview of this challenging aspect of racing.
—
Fan Take: This story highlights the immense physical and logistical challenges NASCAR drivers face when attempting to compete in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. For NASCAR fans, Larson’s struggles underscore the demanding nature of the sport and the need for innovation in scheduling if the series wants to keep these thrilling crossovers alive, which could significantly boost the sport’s popularity and showcase driver versatility.
