Kyle Larson says another attempt at racing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day is unlikely while he remains a full-time NASCAR driver.
Kyle Larson is not closing the door entirely on another Indianapolis 500 run, but he says another attempt at “The Double” is unlikely as long as he remains a full-time NASCAR driver.
Larson’s two-year push to race the Indy 500 in Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte on the same day is the focus of a new Amazon Prime Video documentary, “Kyle Larson vs. The Double,” scheduled for release next week. The same-day challenge covers 1,100 miles and requires a driver to navigate two of motorsports’ biggest events, travel between them, and hope weather and timing cooperate.
Larson told Fox News Digital that the physical grind is only part of the challenge. The day begins with morning obligations in Indianapolis and, if everything goes right, does not end until late that night in Charlotte.
“To me, it takes more mental stamina than anything, but it’s still really cool to compete in two of the biggest races in the world, the pageantry that goes along with it and all of that,” Larson said.
His 2024 attempt was disrupted by rain. He tried again the following year, but rain delayed the start of the Indy 500 by 45 minutes, and Larson crashed on Lap 92. He was able to fly to Charlotte afterward, but he also crashed out of the Coca-Cola 600. Fox News Digital reported it was the first time since 1997 that a driver failed to finish both races.
Larson had been trying to become just the second driver to complete both the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day, according to the report. He was already among the small group of drivers to attempt the feat.
The documentary follows the preparation, logistics and emotional weight of the effort, including Larson’s background in racing and family footage collected over several years. Larson said watching the film brought back how stressful the attempt had been, even though he appreciated seeing the full scope of the project.
Jeff Gordon, co-owner of Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports team and a participant in the documentary, said the film shows why the same-day double is so difficult. “You got to have a lot of things really all align,” Gordon said, adding that it is easy for the plan to fall apart.
For now, Larson sounded at peace with leaving the full Double aside. “You never say never on trying to do the Indy 500 again someday but as long as I’m a full-time NASCAR driver I just won’t be able to,” he said. “And if I never get to run the Indy 500 again, I’m perfectly fine with that as well.”
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