CONCORD, N.C. — Kyle Larson is doubling down when it comes to attempting “The Double” and has a much better idea of what to expect this time around.
While it may not be any less challenging than last year, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion who drives for Hendrick Motorsports is optimistic about the rare opportunity to make motorsports history by joining an exclusive club.
Larson is set to drive in two long races Sunday that will require some air time in between to travel from Indiana to North Carolina: IndyCar’s Indianapolis 500 and the Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600. Competing in the famed open-wheel race and the longest race of the year on the stock-car circuit was a task he set out to accomplish last May but never had a chance to complete after weather disrupted the plan.
Rain delayed the start of the Indy 500, putting Larson well behind schedule in his quest. He finished 18th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, then didn’t make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway until 249 laps had been completed on the 1.5-mile oval in Concord, North Carolina. He was set to jump in the Hendrick No. 5 Chevrolet and take over for replacement driver Justin Allgaier, but lightning and heavy rains forced officials to call the race.
Larson never turned a lap at Charlotte.
While the 32-year-old Californian is used to a hectic schedule — he often competes in sprint cars at dirt tracks between NASCAR obligations — the point of all that is, well, to race.
“Last year wasn’t as fun and exciting as people might think,” Larson said. “I was super bummed because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to race in both. I didn’t get to enjoy the pre-race stuff or anything, but hopefully this year it goes better with the weather and I can just enjoy the whole experience.”
The forecast for Sunday at both race sites looks a little more promising, although there’s still a small chance of rain at Indianapolis (Fox coverage begins at 12:30 p.m.) and the possibility of a thunderstorm at Charlotte (Amazon Prime Video’s first foray into NASCAR is set for 6).
If rain were to delay the start of the Indy 500 again, Larson’s attempt might be all but over.
Winning a Cup Series race essentially locks up a spot for the playoffs, and Larson already has three victories this year with the regular season just past its midpoint. However, NASCAR rules also stipulate that drivers must take part in every points race to reach the postseason.
Larson received a waiver from NASCAR last year due to missing the Coca-Cola 600, but the process was a bit drawn out because waivers into the playoffs have normally been granted for reasons such as absence due to illness or injury. Hendrick Motorsports has made clear this year that the Cup Series race is the priority for Larson, with the team unwilling to risk the possibility of missing out on a title shot for one of the favorites.
Jeff Gordon, the NASCAR Hall of Fame driver who is now a vice chairman at Hendrick, said the team has a “concrete plan” to have Larson at Charlotte in time for driver introductions, about 45 minutes before the race.
“He will be here by 5:45 p.m.,” Gordon said emphatically.
“I feel like the Hendrick aviation side does a really good job with logistics and working with motorsports to make sure all the timing’s right on everything and everything operates smoothly,” Larson said. “Yeah, we had the weather delay for the Indy 500 last year, but aside from that, the travel side of it was all smooth. So as far as I know, nothing is different this year.”
At the Indy 500, he will start on the seventh row at 19th overall in 33-car field, driving the Chevy-powered Arrow McLaren No. 17 car through an alliance with Hendrick. At the Coca-Cola 600, provided he makes it on time, Larson will be in much better position after qualifying second Saturday at Charlotte to join pole-sitter Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing on the front row.
Only a handful of elite drivers have dared to take on the epic motorsports crossover. Tony Stewart set the standard for “The Double” in 2001, when he finished sixth at the Indy 500 and third at the Coca-Cola 600, becoming the first driver to ever complete all 1,100 miles.
Stewart remains the only member of the club, but Larson will make at least one more attempt to join him, a feat that could require more than eight hours in a race car Sunday.
“I love to race,” said Larson who won the Coca-Cola 600 in 2021 on his way to the Cup Series championship. “I love to compete in big events, and I love to try new things to challenge myself. I try to stay focused on making this the best experience I can and getting my car to drive the best it can while also enjoying the moment.”
Easier said than done, but Larson knows that better than most.
