The 2024 NASCAR season brought intense challenges for Kyle Larson, who boldly attempted the iconic Double Duty—racing in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. With support from HendrickCars.com and McLaren for his IndyCar endeavor, Larson’s plans unraveled when a rain delay at Indianapolis forced him to miss the NASCAR race at Charlotte. Although NASCAR granted him a playoff waiver to remain championship-eligible, the decision sparked widespread debate.
In response, NASCAR introduced a stricter rule for 2025, barring drivers from playoff eligibility if they voluntarily miss a race for non-NASCAR events. Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and a key figure in Larson’s Double Duty attempt, has openly criticized the new regulation.
Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Gordon shared how missing the Coke 600 deeply affected Larson. “I flew with Kyle from Indy to Charlotte and saw the pain on his face. He felt he let his team down, and that was punishment enough,” Gordon explained. He argued that NASCAR’s new rules ignore the unique challenges of such ambitious attempts. “If you’ve never owned a team or driven a race car, it’s easy to think stricter action is necessary. But Kyle’s disappointment and pressure were more than sufficient consequences.”
Despite the setbacks, Larson remains optimistic about his 2025 Double Duty attempt. Reflecting on his Indy 500 debut, the 2021 NASCAR Cup champion admitted that the rain delay and missing the Charlotte race were frustrating. “I wish the day had gone differently,” Larson said. “It wasn’t memorable for me, but we’ll try again next year. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate so we can compete in both races.”
The updated waiver rule has drawn criticism from fans and insiders who believe it stifles the ambition NASCAR thrives on. Under the 2025 rules, Larson would have lost his playoff spot last year and started at the bottom of the standings.
Gordon emphasized the need to support drivers pursuing extraordinary goals. “Kyle’s situation was one of a kind. NASCAR should celebrate drivers pushing boundaries, not penalize them. Stories like these drive the sport forward,” he said.
As Larson prepares for another shot at the Double Duty in 2025, all eyes will be on his efforts to succeed in both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, even under the cloud of NASCAR’s divisive new rule.
