NASCAR Charlotte-Indy Double Weather Update: Worried Kyle Larson at a Loss for Words on 1100 Mile Fate – “Don’t Have Any Answers”

Kyle Larson is all set to become the fifth driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Putting his Arrow Mclaren in fifth position for the Big Race at the Brickyard, Larson is aiming to bring home a solid finish. With that being said, Larson’s chances at both the Indy 500 and the Coke 600 could be sidelined by the wrath of the weather gods.

As things stand, there is an 80% chance of rain throughout Indiana over the weekend. With reports of severe thunderstorms rolling in, Kyle Larson may be unable to make it back to North Carolina in time for the Coke 600. Even after all the preparations by Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren, Larson’s shot at the Double lies in nature’s grasp.

Kyle Larson prays for the best ahead of his historic attempt

Last weekend, Larson cut it short as he arrived at North Wilkesboro after Indy qualifying. Although the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver made it back with 15 minutes to spare, NASCAR had shifted the start to accommodate for Larson’s return. However, this time, NASCAR may not be able to stretch things for very long at the Coke 600.

With the reported presence of figures such as Donald Trump, it’s safe to say proceedings at Charlotte need to run smoothly. For NASCAR, that would mean starting things without Larson if he doesn’t make it back in time. As things stand, the Indy 500 is set to kick off at 12:45 ET, giving the HMS driver ample time to return to Charlotte for the Coke 600 at 6 pm. But if there’s anything that stands in the way of Larson completing the Double on the lead lap and joining Tony Stewart, it’s the weather.

Reflecting on the forecast for this weekend, Larson was at a loss for words. He shared with Bob Pockrass, “I mean for sure, I think you can look at the forecast and get worried now. But yeah, I don’t know anything, I have no answers for you guys as far as decisions and all that.” According to the HMS driver, no one within both teams had any control over how things would unfold moving forward.

Other than setting up the perfect cars for Larson at the Indy 500 and Coke 600, all the teams could do was wait on a weather update. Larson added, “It just probably has to come down to game time decisions, so yeah, I don’t know, hopefully, the weather gods work out for us and we can race in both of them.” Larson also revealed that he was happy with how his attempt at driving both an Indycar and the Next-Gen car last weekend at Wilkesboro went, but felt that this weekend could pose more of a challenge.

Presently, Hendrick Motorsports, and Larson face a major dilemma. If things do not go to plan, will the team choose to support Larson in his Indy 500 debut, or will he ditch the Indy attempt to return for the Coke 600? And if Larson opts out of the Crown Jewel at Charlotte, what would that mean for his Championship hopes?

What awaits Kyle Larson if he misses the Coke 600?

Trending

New Parents Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett Share Their Complete Family Photo, and Fans Pour in Love for Baby Stewart

Ryan Blaney Risking Upsetting His Soon to Be Wife as He Reveals His Plans for the Off-Season After Failing to Defend His Title

Who Is Chase Elliott’s Girlfriend Ashley Anderson? Everything You Need to Know About NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver’s Rumored Love Interest

Denny Hamlin’s One Final FedEx Tribute Steals the NASCAR Awards Spotlight as He Uncovers Drivers ‘Disgruntled’ Emotions

Unimpressed NASCAR Fans Call Out Chase Elliott’s 7th Consecutive MPD Award Sweep Amid Rekindled Dating Fire

Kyle Larson currently leads the 2024 Cup Series championship, with 486 points to his name. With over a thirty-point lead on Martin Truex Jr in second and Denny Hamlin in third, Larson has played all his cards right thus far. However, the Coke 600 weekend could completely change this order if Larson doesn’t return in time. Truex Jr is the only active driver with two wins at Charlotte, and could pose a serious threat to Larson’s points lead.

However, Kyle Larson is no stranger to this dilemma. Whilst the #5 Hendrick Motorsports driver is confident he can still win the regular season, the championship may be another story. Larson shared with Bob Pockrass, “Could we still win the regular season? Yes, because there are a lot of races left. But it would be much harder to win it. So that 30 points or whatever buffer I have, I look at that and I’m like, damn, I just wish I would have finished the race at Darlington and have a fifty-point lead probably, but that didn’t happen.”

With regrets from his unfortunate result at Darlington (where he finished P34) resurfacing, Kyle Larson believes things would just be more difficult for HMS if they aren’t back in time for the Coke 600.

Thus far, the racer has relied heavily on stage points, bringing home 7 stage wins. This means the Charlotte race would be vital for Larson to further increase his lead. He concluded, “We’ve been doing a great job winning stages and stuff and getting playoff points and I feel like we have a lot of opportunity to get playoff points at the 600, so I don’t know. I just don’t even want to think about it, I just hope it all goes great and whatever.”

After looking at Kyle Larson’s uncertainty revolving The Double’s success, do you think Tony Stewart will continue to be the only driver to finish both races on the lead lap?