Kyle Larson is gearing up for a highly anticipated attempt at the Indy-Charlotte double in 2025, a feat that will see him compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. This challenge is not new to Larson, but it will be his second attempt at this grueling schedule. However, there are concerns about potential weather disruptions, reminiscent of this year’s Memorial Day weekend when rain caused significant delays.
In a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Zak Brown, CEO of Arrow McLaren, outlined their contingency plan should inclement weather impact Larson’s schedule once again. Larson’s top priority for the 2024 season remains capturing his second Cup Series championship. Brown highlighted that Larson narrowly missed out on winning the regular season points battle, losing to Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing by a mere point. This close finish was a significant disappointment for Larson, making the quest for this year’s Cup title even more crucial.
The challenges of attempting the Indy-Charlotte double were starkly illustrated this year. Larson qualified 5th for the Indy 500, but a rain delay severely impacted his plans, causing him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Justin Allgaier, a NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, filled in for Larson during the Charlotte race. This situation underscored the logistical difficulties of completing both races in one day, particularly when weather conditions are unpredictable.
Looking ahead to 2025, Brown confirmed that if Larson faces a similar rain situation and must choose between the two races, the Coca-Cola 600 will take precedence. This decision reflects Larson’s commitment to his Cup Series career. To mitigate the impact of a potential weather delay at the Indy 500, the Arrow McLaren team has designated Tony Kanaan as their backup driver. Kanaan, a veteran of the IndyCar series and the 2013 Indianapolis 500 champion, currently serves as a special advisor to the Arrow McLaren Indy 500 team. He also provided guidance to Larson for his Indy 500 debut earlier this year. Brown noted that while Kanaan will be prepared as a backup, he will require some additional testing to refresh his skills, emphasizing that even experienced drivers need to stay sharp.
There is also speculation about how Larson would manage if he were to win the Indy 500. The logistics of celebrating such a significant victory and then traveling to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 could prove challenging. Brown himself has expressed concerns about whether Larson would have adequate time to enjoy the celebrations at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway before heading to the next race.
Reflecting on his debut Indy 500 performance, Larson acknowledged that despite qualifying 5th, he ended up finishing 18th. He remains enthusiastic about attempting “The Double” again, even though he believes that this year’s race conditions would not have led to a victory. Larson’s desire to win the Indy 500 remains strong, as he feels well-prepared but acknowledges that achieving such a victory requires the right combination of factors.
Larson’s recent performances have included a notable victory in the Coca-Cola 600 in 2021, adding to his confidence for the 2024 race. With another year of experience under his belt, Larson is optimistic about his chances and hopes that weather conditions will be more favorable. His ambition to join the ranks of drivers who have successfully completed both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day—like Tony Stewart—continues to drive him. Whether Larson can achieve this historic feat will depend on various factors, including race conditions and his ability to manage both races effectively.
