Kyle Larson Disappointed After Rick Hendrick’s Effort for NASCAR Immortality Goes in Vain

“I’m sure he’ll go and do well, and so be it.” That’s what Kyle Busch had to say about Kyle Larson chasing greatness at Bristol after coming awfully close at Homestead. After all, few drivers have flirted with immortality across NASCAR’s toughest trifecta the way Larson has. A dirt dynamo and asphalt assassin, Larson was gearing up again for a history-making weekend.

Three races, one track, one man trying to sweep them all. The stage was set under the lights at Bristol, a place where legends either shine or stumble. Rick Hendrick had thrown his weight behind the attempt, fueling speculation that something special was brewing. But dreams, especially the NASCAR kind, don’t always stick to the script. And as Kyle Larson found out, sometimes, the story takes a turn before the first chapter’s even finished.

Chandler Smith triumphs at Bristol as Kyle Larson’s ‘Triple’ attempt ends early

Kyle Larson walked away from Bristol with more frustration than celebration. “Yeah, sure, I mean bummed because it’s already over,” he admitted after finishing second in the Truck Series race. The loss wasn’t due to a lack of effort. Larson clawed back after speeding on pit road and incurring a penalty, and fresh tires helped him surge late. But, in the end, the win remained elusive.

The race didn’t go as planned. Kyle Larson didn’t have a dominant truck for most of the night, as he finished 7th in stage 1 and didn’t crack the top-10 in stage 2. However, he maintained track position late in the race. After rain brought out a caution, he took the outside lane on the final restart. Demonstrating his skills and experience, he managed to edge up to second. Despite Larson’s efforts, he was not able to catch the Front Row Motorsports #38 of Chandler Smith. After missing out on the weekend sweep in the first race this time, Larson didn’t feel as bad as he did at Homestead when he lost just the Xfinity race.

“Homestead was probably a little bit more of a bummer just because it was like in our fingertips really,” Larson reflected, turning attention to a triple attempt that stung even more. At Homestead, he came painfully close to sweeping all three NASCAR national series races. Kyle Larson won the Craftsman Truck Series race, showcasing his resilience after a late spin, and grabbed a win in the Cup race, too. In the Xfinity Series race, Larson dominated much of the event, leading 132 laps and having as much as a 17-second lead on the grid! However, a late caution triggered by Taylor Gray’s spin erased his advantage, and on the ensuing restart, a shove from Sam Mayer derailed his shot at victory, as Justin Allgaier stole the win, with Larson finishing fourth. After the race, a frustrated Larson said, “The 41 just lagged back and slammed me,” in frustration.

Larson’s post-race demeanor at Bristol was a blend of disappointment and focus. “You just wanna win. It would’ve been nice to win, but I’m happy to rebound,” he said. Despite the loss, Larson was happy to come away with a solid performance after a horror show at Darlington last weekend. The #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet spun out early in the race, requiring significant repairs, which saw him down over 100 laps when he re-entered the race. However, the re-entry proved to be even more calamitous, as he ended up spinning out after a bump from Bubba Wallace at the same spot toward the end of the race, bringing out a caution that changed the outcome, and ruined Ryan Blaney’s shot at a win, as Denny Hamlin ran away with the checkered flag.

Now, with Darlington a distant memory and Bristol behind him, his focus shifts to an even more ambitious challenge: the Memorial Day Weekend “Double.” On May 25, he’s set to run both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The Bristol loss may sting. But Larson’s sights are now set on racing immortality.

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Kyle Larson’s redemption drive – The ‘Double’

After a weather-disrupted attempt in 2024, Kyle Larson is set to tackle the grueling “Double” once more on May 25, 2025. This entails competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. His previous endeavor was marred by rain delays, preventing him from completing the full 1,100 miles. Now, with renewed determination, Larson aims to finish what he started.

In his 2024 Indianapolis 500 debut with Arrow McLaren, Larson showcased his prowess by qualifying fifth and earning Rookie of the Year honors. However, a rain delay led to an 18th-place finish, and he missed the start of the Coca-Cola 600 due to the overlapping schedules. This year, Larson is committed to completing both races, emphasizing his dedication to this formidable challenge. “Last year, we wanted to do 1100 miles. Unfortunately, the weather got in the middle of that. So, that was a huge bummer but a lot of motivation for us to do it again this year.”

To mitigate potential weather-related disruptions, contingency plans are in place for 2025. If the Indianapolis 500 faces delays, Larson will prioritize the Coca-Cola 600, with Tony Kanaan ready to step in as a backup driver for the IndyCar event. This strategy underscores Larson’s commitment to his NASCAR obligations while still pursuing the historic Double, but it also stems from NASCAR’s sharp rule reinforcement.

After Larson missed the Coca-Cola 600 last year, NASCAR awarded him a playoff waiver, allowing him to participate in the playoffs despite missing a race. However, for 2025, NASCAR tweaked the rule to ensure that if any driver misses a race due to commitments outside of NASCAR, such as the Indy 500, they would be stripped of all accumulated playoff points in the regular season! So, Larson is wary of this and will do everything in his power to ensure he is part of the race at Charlotte. If the weather doesn’t intervene, Larson could be on the brink of racing history.

Larson’s ambition to conquer both races on the same day is not just about personal achievement; it’s about etching his name in motorsport history. Only a select few have attempted this feat, and only one driver has completed both races on the same day. Tony Stewart in 2001.

As May 25 approaches, all eyes will be on Kyle Larson. His pursuit of the Double represents the pinnacle of racing endurance and skill. Success in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 would not only cement his legacy but also inspire a new generation of drivers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsports. Do you think Larson can join Tony Stewart on this elite list in 2025? Let us know in the comments!