In the rarified world of motorsports, a few challenges test a driver’s skill, endurance, and logistics, such as “The Double” – competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Only four drivers apart from Larson have ever attempted the gruelling marathon: John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch.
Fatigue or skill limitations did not thwart the 32-year-old NASCAR champion’s first attempt at ‘The Double’ in 2024, but Mother Nature did. Rain delays pushed back the Indianapolis 500, and by the time Larson finished 18th in his IndyCar debut, the weather had already halted the NASCAR race in Charlotte before he could turn a single lap. Now, Larson is coming back for redemption.
Travel is a non-issue for Kyle Larson
For most drivers, the prospect of competing in two major races, in different states, in different racing disciplines, on the same day would be overwhelming. But Larson’s assessment of the travel demands reveals his unique perspective. “I think it’s surprising for people… it’s actually not,” Larson explained about the travel demands. “For the average human being might be a lot, but for me, it was nice, like it was very relaxing. I felt I could really focus.”
What might seem impossible to most racers is just another Sunday for Larson, whose typical schedule often involves crisscrossing the country for various racing events for 36 weeks of the year. “Typical week for me, I’m flying here and there, back and forth and juggling kids and all that,” Larson continued. “It wasn’t a big deal at all. It was not difficult one bit.” This casual dismissal of what many consider one of motorsport’s greatest challenges comes as Larson officially announced his second attempt at the double during a press conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Tuesday.
Once again, he’ll pilot the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren entry at Indianapolis as a teammate to Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, and Christian Lundgaard before flying to Charlotte for the 600-mile NASCAR finale. “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t feel like I had the opportunity to win both races,” Kyle Larson declared confidently. “I know that’s a very difficult task but I know it can be done, especially being with a team like Arrow McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports.”
Join us live for this special #Hendrick1100 announcement featuring @KyleLarsonRacin and @JeffGordonWeb! https://t.co/uLuCBluBKB
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 2, 2025
His rookie performance in the 2024 Indianapolis 500 supports that confidence. Larson qualified an impressive fifth with a rookie-record qualifying speed of 233.43 mph and ran in the top 10 for much of the race before a late speeding penalty on pit road dropped him to 18th. Rick Hendrick, who will again serve as the official car owner for Larson’s Indianapolis 500 entry, cited both performance and financial success from the first attempt: “From a sponsorship perspective, we saw an incredible lift for HendrickCars.com and measured a three-to-one return on our investment.”
The 2024 attempt wasn’t without its consequences. Due to the rain-delayed start at Indianapolis, Kyle Larson missed the beginning of the Coca-Cola 600, forcing substitute driver Justin Allgaier to start in his place. The missed start cost Larson valuable championship points – he would ultimately miss the regular season championship by just one point to Tyler Reddick.
Adding to the drama, NASCAR rules required Larson to receive a special waiver to remain playoff-eligible after missing the start of the race. After a nine-day wait, NASCAR granted the waiver, preserving his championship hopes. As Larson prepares for his second attempt at “The Double,” his parting words at the announcement made his intentions crystal clear: “I wanted to do the double I didn’t get to do. I think with a year of experience, hopefully, we’ll be even more competitive.”
However, Larson would not be eligible for a similar waiver in 2025, as a change in the rules means that if any driver misses a Cup Series race while racing in an external series would not receive a playoff waiver. Now, the driver would lose all playoff points accumulated in the regular season. While the travel might not be a big deal for Larson, he better make sure he makes it to Charlotte on time!
“Super weird”: Larson’s candid take on IndyCar adaptation
Despite his nonchalant attitude toward the logistical challenges of “The Double,” Larson has been refreshingly candid about the physical and perceptual adjustments required to pilot an IndyCar. The $12 million-worth NASCAR star recently described the experience as “super weird” compared to his usual stock car racing environment. “Looking out, you can see the front tires, so that’s super weird to me because even in my Sprint car stuff, like some of the guys like to see the front tires, I don’t,” Larson explained. “I feel like when I see the front tires, I only look at the front tires.”
The physical confines of an IndyCar cockpit present another adjustment for the versatile racer. “This is way more space in this show car than the real thing but yeah, like in the real thing, your legs are together, your feet are together, you got the inserts. I don’t know, I just feel really tight in there,” Larson admitted via NASCAR’s YouTube channel. This confined seating position stands in stark contrast to NASCAR’s relatively roomier cockpit design, highlighting the physical adaptations required when switching between racing disciplines.
These challenges make Larson’s casual dismissal of “The Double” even more remarkable. While most drivers would require extensive adjustment periods between such radically different racing machines, Larson appears to take these differences in stride–further cementing his reputation as perhaps the most naturally adaptable driver of his generation.
As he prepares for his second attempt with Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren, his ability to overcome these perceptual challenges could be the difference between finishing the 1,100-mile marathon and potentially making history with victories in both prestigious events. Do you think Kyle Larson will successfully attempt ‘The Double’ in 2025? Let us know in the comments!
The post Kyle Larson’s Massive 5-Word Claim Boasts Unmatched Talent as He Prepares to Cement “The Double” Legacy appeared first on EssentiallySports.
