Traditions, competition, and history. These could very well be the top things that would define American motorsports enthusiasts just like they would define the Memorial Day weekend in the motorsports world, featuring the Indy500 clashing against the NASCAR Cup Series‘ Coca-Cola 600 on the very same day. Then there’s one of the most difficult feats to achieve in motorsports world on this very day, The Double Duty whose reputation precedes it as over the years, only five names from the NASCAR world have dabbled in Indy500 races for it: Kurt Busch, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart and John Andretti, and Kyle Larson. These brave drivers have attempted this 1,100-mile race with a wish or a chance to attempt it again. But it has been a decade since Busch took the challenge, until now. Sharing latest updates on his plans, Kyle Larson will be giving this event a second go, and he clearly has not learnt from last year how things can turn on you no matter what.

In 2024, Larson was a heavy favorite to ink his name in history for attempting the 108th edition of the Double. However, things did not go the way he had planned. Back in mid-January 2023, Larson announced his plans for testing the waters of racing an IndyCar open wheel race car, giving himself well over 18 months, exactly 500 days, until the event. Following the path of Kurt, the last to attempt the Double in 2014, Larson would gain familiarity with the Indy500 format, test his car, get some rounds in at some non-IMS ovals, and of course, take a lap of the ol-Rookie Orientation Program as the 2021 NASCAR Series champ mentioned, “Competing in the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time — since I was a child, before I ever began competing in sprint cars.” However, as the D-day in May 2024 approached and Larson was all-set to create history, nature showed that it had different plans as it washed away all his hard work. Literally! And with that went away his chance to fulfill his wish of “maybe (I’ll) get a win or two that day.”

The Indianapolis 500 was delayed due to bad weather, but Larson decided to complete the IndyCar event after consultation with Rick Hendrick. However, with the rains, the event was delayed. Kyle finished 18th in his first show at ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ after receiving a pit road penalty. And as is always the case, there was not enough time. You see, attempting the Double means driving 1,100 miles in the same day. This further entails for a driver to first run 500 miles in Indy500 and then immediately fly to Charlotte to run in the Coca Cola 600 for the remaining 600 miles. Due to the weather, Larson could never attempt the NASCAR race. Now this became a problem since NASCAR rules clearly state that every driver should start all 26 races of the regular season to enter the playoffs. However, after talking to NASCAR, he got a waiver to run in the playoffs anyway despite being a no-show at the Coca Cola 600. Now, with hopes to sail to the day smoothly AND for the day to run smoothly as well, the Hendrick Motorsports driver is locked and loaded for part two! 

This time around, Kyle Larson will be in it to win it. Sharing his thoughts about ‘the double’ attempt, the racer said, “I really want to do it again because I didn’t technically get to do it. I want to do the double, what it would be like to run 1,100 miles.” The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion will be partnering with Arrow McLaren once again, and expectations will be high from the racer going into the event this time around.

He will return to IndyCar in late April for testing and get accustomed to open-wheel racing in the subsequent weeks for the Indianapolis 500. However, the plan is a bit different this time around. Kyle and Hendrick understand that they cannot ask NASCAR for another waiver no matter what the reason could be. The first notice comes from NASCAR itself.

Their website states the amended rule from January: “Playoff points would be forfeited if a waiver is granted after a suspension or if a driver chooses to skip a race. Playoff points would not be forfeited in the event of a medical absence, missing a race for the birth of a child or a family emergency, or if age restrictions prevent a driver from racing a full season.”

But Larson and Hendricks also made a decision already. Considering what happened last year and how they chose to run in the 500 over Charlotte, Larson has mentioned that he will fly back to run in the Coca Cola 600 this year. In an interview prior to the 2025 Cup season, Larson had mentioned, “Had that new rule been in place or not. I think our priorities probably look different for this coming Indy 500 and double attempt anyways. It is what it is.”

The Hendrick Motorsports driver had a tough decision to make after the Indianapolis 500 was delayed due to bad weather, but he decided to complete the IndyCar event after consultation with Rick Hendrick. In 2024, Justin Allgaier replaced Kyle Larson behind the wheel of the No. 5 Chevy. However, mother nature playing spoilsport meant that despite getting into the car, Larson never got to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 later that day, as the race in Charlotte Motor Speedway ended prematurely because of the same rain that had delayed the 500.

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As a result, Kyle Larson had to get a waiver to be able to compete in the playoffs. Despite NASCAR making a one-off exception, the racer missed out on valuable points because of his absence, which may have ultimately cost him a regular series championship. However, the 32-year-old is taking a different approach this time around, going on to say, “I think our priorities probably look different for this coming Indy 500 and double attempt anyways.”

Larson will not risk his participation at the Coca-Cola 600 under any circumstances this year. The Hendrick Motorsports driver knows that NASCAR won’t offer him another waiver if things go South this time around. However, things can go wrong, a lesson the racer learned the hard way in 2024, which may jeopardize his entire Cup Series campaign if he fails to make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway in time for the race. And just like the 32-year-old racer, many believe that if there is anyone to clench this name this time around, it has to be Kyle.

McLaren Racing CEO has high hopes for Larson

Kyle Larson has a lot to get accustomed to. The California native will have two new teammates at Arrow McLaren, as Nolan Siegel has joined the team in the No. 6 car after David Malukas got injured, while Christian Lundgaard has replaced Alexander Rossi as well. Pato O’Ward is the only familiar face the NASCAR driver knows from his 2024 appearance, but despite it all, the racer can’t wait to get started as he said, “I had a great time with the teammates that I had last year and I look forward to learning from those guys again this year.”

The prospect of attempting ‘the double’ is an exciting one for McLaren Racing’s CEO, Zak Brown, as well. Speaking about Larson and the Indy 500 in a press release, he said, “There’s no doubt we’re counting down the days until the Indy 500, where we’ll be racing once again with Kyle Larson in the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Arrow McLaren Chevrolet for our fourth entry in the race.” Brown concluded by saying, “We’re working hard together to get Kyle in a position to complete all 1,100 miles on May 25 in Indy and Charlotte, and just maybe win at both.”

While the risk of bad weather looms large, Larson is unconcerned about potentially missing out on the Coca-Cola 600 amidst NASCAR’s stricter waiver policy. The racer said, “It’s probably going to come into play more for people getting suspended for doing stupid stuff on the track rather than a weather delay at Indianapolis.” While the 32-year-old is right to an extent, competing in ‘the double’ presents a risk in itself, but the Hendrick Motorsports driver will hope that circumstances work in his favor so that he can fulfill a lifelong ambition this year.