In 2024, NASCAR fans witnessed an unexpected twist when Kevin Harvick came out of retirement for one more ride. The moment was surreal. Harvick, now a broadcaster with FOX, stepped into the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet as a temporary stand-in for Kyle Larson during the All-Star Race weekend at North Wilkesboro. With Larson focused on qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, the team needed a reliable and seasoned driver. Rick Hendrick made the call. Harvick, a two-time All-Star Race winner, answered.
“When Rick called a couple of days ago, he said, ‘Hey, I need a favor,’ and I know when the conversation starts like that, that usually you have to say yes,” Harvick said on FOX Sports. This backup plan was critical. With Larson’s Indy 500 debut hanging in the balance, Hendrick Motorsports couldn’t afford to lose momentum in NASCAR’s packed schedule. Harvick ran practices and qualifying, keeping the No. 5 team competitive in Larson’s absence. While Larson returned and started the All-Star race from the back, his plans for the Double attempt failed.
As the skies opened on both Indy and Charlotte, Larson’s dream crumbled in rain delays and timing issues. Despite all the planning, he missed racing in the Coke 600. Now, in 2025, Larson is back for another shot at history. But this time, there’s no room for error. Hendrick Motorsports has lined up a familiar face as Larson’s backup, one who already knows the No. 5 car well. If Larson again misses the Coca-Cola 600 due to delays at Indy, another top NASCAR name is ready to jump in. Let’s break down exactly who’ll drive, who’ll qualify, and what’s at stake.
Who is Rick Hendrick’s 2025 backup plan?
In 2024, Kyle Larson gave everything he had to complete the historic “Double.” But rain delays at the Indy 500 caused him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. He arrived just in time to watch officials call the race early because of another storm. He didn’t turn a single lap. This year, he’s trying again. But he understands the risk. And just like last year, he’s already lined up a standby driver to keep his NASCAR duties on track in case things don’t go as planned in Indianapolis. So, who’s filling in for Larson this year? Justin Allgaier once again!
A steady presence from JR Motorsports, the 2024 Xfinity Series Champion, and a trusted reserve for Hendrick Motorsports, Allgaier will handle practice and qualifying for the No. 5 Chevrolet in Charlotte. He’s been here before. In 2024, Allgaier started the Coke 600 for Larson under similar circumstances. This time, he’s even more prepared. Allgaier will qualify the car on Saturday, May 24. Practice and qualifying are set from 1:35 PM to 3:00 PM ET at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He’ll also be ready to race Sunday night if Larson doesn’t return from Indianapolis in time.
Hendrick Motorsports says it will skip the heat races for its No. 5 car Saturday at North Wilkesboro. Justin Allgaier will practice and qualify Friday. And team will start in the back for the all-star race with Larson.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 15, 2025
Allgaier’s experience and size match with Larson’s setup, making the switch seamless. Larson’s Crew chief Cliff Daniels said, “He and Kyle are very similar in size… so there’s a lot in the cockpit that’s common between the two.” Additionally, unlike Kevin Harvick, this time, Allgaier will also participate in the qualifying and practice of the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro in the absence of Kyle Larson. This will not only give him more time in No.5 Chevy but also allow Larson to participate in heat qualifiers in the Indy 500.
Kyle Larson’s determination to chase both the Indy 500 and the $1 million All-Star prize is strong. But if he misses qualifying at Charlotte, he’ll have to start at the rear of the field. That’s a brutal place to begin in NASCAR’s longest race. The Coca-Cola 600 stretches 400 laps and 600 miles, a true endurance test. And starting from the back could derail Larson’s pursuit of a major payday. Larson would have to battle through the pack in a grueling event that’s already tough under normal circumstances. Still, he’s committed. “I hope we’re in that predicament. That means our car is fast,” Larson said recently.
Larson’s Indy 500 journey continues to draw attention. His Day 1 practice laps were solid, placing 24th among 34 drivers. He called the session “a nice smooth day.” But the real test will come during qualifying. If he makes it into the Firestone Fast Six, that puts him on a collision course, timing-wise, with NASCAR’s All-Star main event. That’s the moment when tough choices must be made. However, the team trusts Allgaier to deliver if Larson can’t return in time.
All eyes now turn to the weather and the clock. If Larson can’t make it back in time, Justin Allgaier will take the wheel for the No. 5 Chevrolet in the Coca-Cola 600. He’ll qualify it, and he’s fully prepared to race it. Hendrick Motorsports has faith in his ability. But even if Larson misses just one start, there’s a bigger issue looming. And it’s not about miles or minutes; it’s about NASCAR’s new rule that could derail his Cup title hopes.
A new NASCAR rule threatens Larson’s Cup Title hopes
There’s more at stake than just a missed race. NASCAR introduced a rule this year that could affect Larson’s championship dreams. Under the new guideline, any driver missing a race for non-medical reasons can still receive a playoff waiver, but it now comes with a steep cost. If Larson misses the Coca-Cola 600 again, he’ll lose all 23 of his earned playoff points. Worse, he won’t be able to earn any new playoff points for the rest of the regular season.
Playoff points are crucial. They carry through each round of the championship and often decide who moves forward. Larson currently leads the field in those points. Giving them up would reset him to zero, essentially canceling all his hard work so far. It’s a massive penalty for chasing a dream outside of NASCAR, and it forces him to weigh every second of Indy 500 qualifying against his future in the Cup Series.
Kyle Larson knows the pressure. “Cup should be the priority,” he said. NASCAR officials admitted his 2024 situation was “uncharted waters,” but they’re setting new rules to keep things clearer this time around. Exceptions still exist for medical issues, family emergencies, or unique circumstances, such as Denny Hamlin potentially having to attend the birth of his baby boy. But chasing the Indy 500 doesn’t qualify under this updated system. The rule also complicates the All-Star Race weekend.
If Larson qualifies for the Indy 500’s Fast Six on Sunday evening, it may overlap with the All-Star main event. And if he misses that too, Hendrick’s No. 5 won’t be allowed to compete. Allgaier can qualify and practice, but only Larson is eligible to race, based on NASCAR’s rules. The bottom line: Larson is trying to make history. But one wrong weather delay, one missed flight, or one qualifying conflict could cost him the championship. Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR, and fans alike are watching every minute. This is more than a race weekend. It’s a high-speed balancing act that could define Larson’s legacy.
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