NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson is challenging the traditional ideas on the differences between NASCAR and IndyCar, two of the United States’ greatest racing series. Talking on First Things First, he argues that the sports are more similar than fans realise. This comes as the driver prepares for The Double this Sunday. 

This will be the Californian driver’s second attempt at one of the most challenging weekends of his motorsports career as he takes on both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Only four drivers have been able to take on such a feat, which includes 1,100 miles of driving. Tony Stewart is one of these drivers, completing the task in 2001. 

The now semi-retired driver finished sixth at Indy and third in Charlotte. Larson attempted this last year, but poor weather ruined his efforts. 

Outside of the obvious differences between stock cars and open-wheel race cars, Larson admits the driving experience is surprisingly similar. 

“So, I’ll just start with the cars. You know, surprisingly to me, when I first got in it – like, you look at an IndyCar and you look at a NASCAR – they look completely different,” he said. “But the feel that I have between the two cars, it’s not that crazy different.

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

“We have in NASCAR now… in 2022 they designed the Next Gen car – so completely different than a stock car used to be. We now have independent suspension, we’ve got underbody aerodynamics that we’re relying on, the sidewalls of the tires are shorter, a lot like in IndyCar.”

These similarities continue into what he feels when behind the wheel. 

“So what I feel in the car is honestly pretty similar. You’re going a lot faster in the IndyCar. We’ll be 235–237 probably in the race at the end of the straightaways. NASCAR will, at Charlotte, be 195 maybe. But the sensation is still the same.”

The arrival of NASCAR’s Next Gen car in 2022 saw a significant departure from traditional stock car racing, with these new machines being much more sophisticated than their dinosaur counterparts.

“So the cars aren’t too different. And then the strategy of the two races is fairly similar, I feel like, too. It’s hard to pass. You gotta execute all the details: good restarts, pit stops, all that sort of stuff.

“So although I’m not experienced here in IndyCar, I feel like my oval experience in NASCAR should help.”

The 2025 Coca-Cola 600 is back at Charlotte Motor Speedway for another year of racing. A 600-mile race that requires 400 laps to complete, it will mark the next race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Here’s what you need to know about the race, how to watch and more.

When is the Coca-Cola 600?

The Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25th at 6 p.m. ET.

Where is the race?

The Coca-Cola 600 will take place at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How long is the race?

The Coca-Cola 600 is a total of 400 laps and 600 miles.

Where can I watch the Coca-Cola 600? What channel will it be on?

The race will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.

Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, & more post-race interviews from NASCAR All-Star Race | NASCAR on FOX

How can I stream or watch the race without cable?

The Coca-Cola 600 can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

What is the Charlotte Motor Speedway Schedule?

Friday, May 23rd

• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice – 3:35 p.m. ET (FS2)
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 4:40 p.m. ET (FS2)
• General Tire 150 – 6 p.m. ET (FS1)
• North Carolina Education Lottery 200 – 8:30 p.m. ET (FS1)

Saturday, 24th

• NASCAR Cup Series Practice – 1:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
• NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 2:40 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
• BetMGM 300 – 4:30 p.m. (CW app)

Sunday, May 25th

• NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 – 6 p.m. ET (Prime Video / MAX)

Who is driving in the race?

There are 40 drivers entered into the Coca-Cola 600. Qualifying starts on Saturday, 5/24. 

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CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing announced Friday a multi-year sponsor partnership with Trimble beginning in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Trimble will be the primary sponsor on Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Ford Mustang and Chris Buescher’s No. 17 Ford Mustang, beginning with Preece’s entry at Nashville Superspeedway on June 1. In addition, it was announced that Trimble will increase its involvement across RFK Racing’s full fleet in upcoming seasons, including Brad Keselowski’s No. 6 Ford Mustang.

Trimble is a global technology company that enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation.

“This is a high-profile opportunity to expand awareness of Trimble by supporting a leading NASCAR team with a technology vision closely aligned with our own,” Trimble president and CEO Rob Painter said. “Both organizations focus on cohesive technology ecosystems and data-driven precision as the formula for winning in dynamic and intensely competitive environments.”

Trimble employs more than 12,000 people worldwide and serves customers in over 175 countries. The company reported $3.68 billion in revenue in 2024, according to a release.

“Partnering with a forward-thinking, technology-driven company like Trimble is a great fit for RFK Racing,” said Steve Newmark, president of RFK Racing. “Our team and Trimble operate in fast-paced, high-performance environments that demand precision and innovation. Their deep expertise and commitment to technology will bring valuable perspective and collaboration to our program.”

Trimble is also set to join the RFK TeK Alliance, a collaborative platform where technology-oriented sponsors work together to test and refine products in applied racing and operational environments.

“Every week in NASCAR feels like a science project, where we’re constantly testing, learning, and improving,” said RFK Racing driver and co-owner Brad Keselowski. “Partnering with Trimble allows us to do more of that work in the digital space, refining our performance virtually before we ever hit the track. That kind of innovation is not only smart, it’s essential in today’s competitive environment.”

Two-time Daytona 500 champion William Byron signed a four-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports on Friday.

The deal keeps Byron, 27, behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet through the 2029 NASCAR Cup Series season.

“We’ve built something special with the No. 24 team,” Byron said in a team news release. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue working with amazing people at Hendrick Motorsports who believe in me, especially Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick. We’ve accomplished some great things that we’re really proud of, but we have even bigger goals ahead. I’m excited to go after them with this team and this organization.”

Byron, whose current contract expires at the end of this season, ranks second in the Cup Series standings through 13 races this season, 35 points behind Hendrick teammate Kyle Larson.

Byron initially signed with Hendrick in 2016 at age 18 and was the Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 2018. His 14 wins at NASCAR’s top level include back-to-back Daytona 500 victories in 2024 and 2025.

“William is the real deal,” owner Rick Hendrick said. “What makes him so special is that he combines natural ability with an unrivaled work ethic.

“You see it in the great ones — the drivers who could get by on talent alone but choose to outwork everyone anyway. That’s William. On top of it all, he’s a person of high character and embraces his role as a leader. We’re proud to have him in our lineup and look forward to many more wins together.”

Byron’s new contract extends farther than his Hendrick teammates Larson (signed through 2026), Alex Bowman (2026) and Chase Elliott (2027).

Byron is doing double-duty this weekend in Charlotte, N.C., competing in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race as well as Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.

William Sawalich will make his first NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend. The Eden Prairie native will race in the BetMGM 300 at the Concord, North Carolina, track on Saturday, May 24.

Sawalich will gain experience on the mile-and-a-half oval before Saturday’s Xfinity Series race by running the ARCA Menards Series event Friday night in the No. 18 Starkey Toyota Camry. It will be his fifth ARCA Menards Series start of the year. He has finished second in three of his four races so far this year and earned two pole awards.

Sawalich’s No. 18 Toyota GR Supra will feature a patriotic red, white and blue scheme this weekend in honor of Memorial Day. Sponsor Starkey, a privately held global hearing technology company based in Eden Prairie, is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company states that it proudly supports the U.S. military.

The BetMGM 300 is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Central time Saturday. It will air on The CW and be broadcast on PRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

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Derek Kraus, 23, will make his first NASCAR Cup Series start of the year this weekend, competing in NASCAR’s longest race — the 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 

Kraus will pilot the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet with sponsorship from Western States Flooring. This Sunday’s race will be the first time since the season-opening Daytona that the Cup Series will have a full field of 40 cars with four open entries.

Kraus made six starts in the Cup Series last year, all while driving for Kaulig Racing. His best result came at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing 28th. His most recent start came in the 2024 season finale at Phoenix Raceway, and this will be his first appearance in the Coke 600.

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A former champion of the ARCA West Series in 2019, Kraus also has 76 Truck Series starts and eight Xfinity Series starts, but none since 2023. He was full-time in the Truck Series between 2020 and 2022, finishing as high as second at Darlington.

NY Racing Team has made four Cup starts as an open entry this year, all with veteran journeyman driver J.J. Yeley. Their best result of the year came at Talladega where they finished 32nd. The team also attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500 but failed to make the show.

Read Also:

William Byron signs extension to remain with Hendrick through 2029

20 years later: Remembering the wildest Coke 600 in NASCAR history

Kurt Busch among those selected for 2026 NASCAR Hall of Fame class

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