Kyle Larson has built his career on taking risks and chasing history. In 2024, he set out to complete one of the most grueling challenges in motorsports, i.e. The Double. The racing world was buzzing with excitement, but Mother Nature had other plans. The 2021 Cup Series Champion saw his dream unravelled as rain delays at the Indianapolis 500 forced him into a difficult choice.
After hours of rain delay, Larson finally started the Indy 500, only to get a pit lane penalty. That saw him earning a poor 18th-place finish. But things got worse from there on. Instead of immediately flying to Charlotte after the Indy 500, he had to wait due to poor weather. By the time he arrived, it was too late. He failed to start the Coca-Cola 600, which dashed his dream. Hendrick Motorsports’s vice president later spoke about how devastating the moment was. “I saw the hurt on Kyle Larson’s face,” he said.
But racers don’t dwell on the past—they chase the next challenge. That moment stuck with Larson. He vowed to return in 2025, stronger and more prepared than ever. Now, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is set to attempt the double again this year with McLaren and HMS. However, this time, he is not alone. NASCAR’s $2 trillion broadcasting giant is ensuring that his redemption attempt will be bigger than anything seen before.
Prime Video backs Kyle Larson’s second shot in history!
Kyle Larson is back for another shot at completing the Double, and this time, he’s got an even bigger stage. Amazon’s Prime Video has joined him as the presenting sponsor. The event, now called the #Hendrick1100 presented by Prime Video, will put Larson on one of the biggest stages in motorsports. The Memorial Day weekend challenge will see Larson start with the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before racing the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Speaking about it, Larson said this in a statement: “Last year gave us a great foundation, and now we get to build on it. I’m excited to come back stronger in 2025 and give it everything we’ve got to finish all 1,100 miles. Having Prime Video on board – especially with them streaming the 600 and documenting my whole experience – is pretty special. May is going to be a crazy month, and I’m ready to get after it.”
But there’s more to this partnership than just sponsorship. Prime Video has also greenlit a feature-length documentary chronicling Larson’s two-year journey to pull off this historic feat. The project, directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Cynthia Hill, will give fans unprecedented access to Larson’s preparation, struggles, and emotions. Notably, filming for the project began in October 2023 and will continue through 2025.
This has left Rick Hendrick and his team excited. In a statement, he said, “We’re excited to welcome Prime Video to the effort, showcase their brand on such a big stage, and collaborate on what will be an incredible documentary project. The film is going to show Kyle as people have never seen him – his preparation, his mindset, and what it takes to pursue such a daunting challenge.”
Notably, this is not the first NASCAR-based project for Prime Video. Just as Larson’s story is being told, Prime Video is also set to release “Earnhardt”, a four-part docuseries on NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. The series, premiering Memorial Day weekend, will explore Earnhardt’s career, family dynamics, and impact on the sport. Meanwhile, Larson’s untitled film will be released in 2026.
Additionally, this isn’t Prime Video’s first deal with Hendrick Motorsports. Earlier this year, they became a sponsor for Chase Elliott’s No. 9 team, signing a multi-year deal through 2027. The No. 9 Prime Video Chevrolet will make its debut at Talladega, followed by Kansas Speedway and the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. All of these signings highlight Prime Video’s commitment to NASCAR ahead of their five-race broadcasting schedule.
NASCAR’s rule change poses a major threat to Larson’s dream!
Kyle Larson’s 2025 attempt at The Double comes with a major risk. NASCAR has changed its playoff waiver rule. In 2024, when Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600, he received a waiver that allowed him to compete for the championship. This year, that’s no longer an option. Under the new rule, any driver who misses a race will have to forfeit all the playoff points they have collected in the 26 regular-season races. That means if rain or delays impact the Indy 500 again and Larson can’t make it to Charlotte in time, his championship hopes will take a devastating hit. We saw how crucial those 15 playoff points were after he missed out on the regular season title to Tyler Reddick.
The rule change has sparked debate. Earlier this year, Jeff Gordon openly questioned it. “I don’t think they needed to take any further steps. And here’s my reason why. Because I saw the hurt on Kyle Larson’s face, and I could feel him letting his team down,” Gordon said. Beyond the playoff concerns, Larson’s team still has another major issue to solve: who will replace him in the No. 5 Chevrolet? Earlier this year, Larson had hoped to convince Carl Edwards to take over.
Unfortunately for Larson and Hendrick Motorsports, Edwards shut down the idea. “I’d probably crash the car if I got in it right now,” Edwards joked ahead of his Hall of Fame induction. With the season quickly approaching, Larson and Hendrick Motorsports still need to find a substitute driver. But the biggest question is – Will Larson be able to complete The Double? Will he complete all 1,100 miles and silence his critics?
The post After Chase Elliott, $2 Trillion Giant Goes All in on Kyle Larson to Extend Support in Insane Historic Attempt appeared first on EssentiallySports.
