In a press event held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, team owner Rick Hendrick made it clear that if the Indianapolis 500 faces weather delays again in 2025, Kyle Larson will prioritize making it to the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on time. This statement comes after a challenging 2024 experience where Larson, who had hoped to race in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, found himself caught in a rain delay at Indy that caused him to miss the beginning of the 600-mile race in Charlotte.
As a result of the delay, Larson had to scramble to arrive at Charlotte, eventually making it there mid-race, ready to take over his NASCAR Cup Series car when rain again halted the event. Despite the disruption, NASCAR granted Larson a waiver that allowed him to remain playoff-eligible even though he missed the start of the Coca-Cola 600. It was a lucky break for Larson, but both he and Hendrick don’t want a repeat of the situation in 2025.
At the press conference, Hendrick emphasized his unwavering commitment to NASCAR, the racing series where his team competes for championships. He stressed that if weather issues interfere with the Indy 500 again, Larson will leave the race, even if it means cutting his run at Indianapolis short. “We’re committed to running the 600. If it means we have to shorten the race at Indy, we’ll do it because of my dedication to NASCAR,” Hendrick said.
He went on to clarify that his team’s primary goal is to compete for championships in NASCAR, and the Coca-Cola 600 is one of the season’s most important races in that pursuit. Should the weather play havoc with the schedule, Indy 500 veteran Tony Kanaan is prepared to step into Larson’s car at Indianapolis if needed. Hendrick’s stance is clear: no matter what happens, Larson will be in Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600.
The press conference also addressed a hypothetical question: what would Hendrick do if Larson was leading the Indianapolis 500 when it was time to leave for the Coca-Cola 600? His response was firm: “We’re going to be here,” meaning that no matter what happens at Indy, Larson will be at Charlotte when it counts.
Larson himself was asked about the possibility of being in the lead at Indianapolis and having to leave before the race concludes to make it to Charlotte. While this situation would undoubtedly be bittersweet for any driver, Larson indicated he understands the importance of his obligations to his NASCAR team and his commitment to the Coca-Cola 600. He stated that winning the 600 is a major goal, and if leaving the Indy 500 early is necessary to meet that goal, he’s prepared to do so. “I feel I owe it to my NASCAR team to aim for victory in one of the season’s biggest races… I’m fine with that,” Larson said.
The backstory here is that running both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in one day is an extraordinary feat in motorsports. The two races are held on the same day, but they’re in different locations, making it a logistical and physical challenge for any driver attempting to compete in both. Dubbed “The Double,” this grueling one-day challenge begins with the 500-mile race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana and is followed by the 600-mile race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
Several drivers have attempted this feat over the years, including Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, and Robby Gordon, but none have won both races in the same day. The goal of conquering The Double has become a coveted achievement for the most daring and determined drivers in the sport. In 2024, Larson joined the ranks of those who sought to add their name to this elite group of drivers, but rain thwarted his attempt. The unique challenge of pulling off such a demanding schedule made the entire situation that much more intense, as Larson raced against both time and weather.
Looking ahead to 2025, it’s clear that Larson and Hendrick are planning carefully to ensure everything goes smoothly. The addition of Tony Kanaan as a backup driver for the Indy 500 provides a safety net, allowing Larson to exit the race early if necessary while keeping the team’s effort in the Indy 500 competitive. Kanaan, a veteran driver and former winner of the Indy 500, brings years of experience and a deep understanding of the race, making him the ideal choice to step in should Larson need to leave early for Charlotte.
Hendrick’s commitment to NASCAR above all else reflects the deep respect he holds for the sport that has brought him and his team immense success over the years. His decision to prioritize the Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, over a potential victory at the Indianapolis 500 illustrates the importance of the Cup Series to his organization’s goals.
Larson’s willingness to adhere to Hendrick’s directive and potentially give up a shot at winning the Indy 500 in favor of focusing on the Coca-Cola 600 demonstrates his dedication to the team as well. Though the opportunity to race in both iconic events is rare and tempting, Larson recognizes the significance of his responsibilities in NASCAR and the weight of the expectations that come with racing for a team like Hendrick Motorsports.
In the world of motorsports, few things are certain, but one thing is clear for Larson, Hendrick, and their team in 2025: their sights are set firmly on success in NASCAR, and they won’t let anything, not even the allure of the Indy 500, interfere with their pursuit of victory in the Coca-Cola 600. Both Larson and Hendrick know that balancing the demands of two major racing series is no small feat, but with their shared focus and careful planning, they’re determined to make it work.
So, when May 2025 arrives and the engines roar to life at both Indianapolis and Charlotte, all eyes will be on Kyle Larson as he tackles one of motorsports’ toughest challenges. Whether he can finally conquer The Double remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: he’ll be in Charlotte when it matters most.
