by Kyle Larson has his sights set on competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 next year.
Larson, Hendrick Motorsports and IndyCar’s Arrow McLaren announced Tuesday that he is open to competing in both races again in 2025. Larson attempted to compete in the Indy 500 and 600 this season but was only able to compete in the Indy 500 because of thunderstorms. Rain delayed the start of the Indy 500 and forced Larson to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. And when Larson arrived in Charlotte to get in his car for the 600, rain had stopped the race. It never restarted.
Larson became the fifth driver to attempt both races on the same day this year and will be the third to attempt the double multiple times along with Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart. John Andretti and Kurt Busch have both achieved the double once. Before Larson, Busch’s attempt at the double in 2014 was the most recent attempt by a driver to do both races.
“I appreciate this second opportunity because we still have some things to work out,” Larson said in a statement. “I really want to finish the 1,100 miles and I think we have an opportunity to challenge for the win in both events.”
Larson had a fast car at Indy and started fifth. However, a late-race speeding penalty dropped him to 18th. A few months later, he returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and won the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400. Most of Larson’s maneuvers to make his way through the field were very similar to those of IndyCar drivers trying to pass.
The storms also prompted NASCAR to grant Larson an exemption into this season’s playoffs. NASCAR rules state that a driver must attempt every regular-season race to be eligible for the playoffs. With rain threatening the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday morning, Larson and his team made the decision to have him stay at Indy and risk missing the start of the 600-mile race.
By not starting the 600, Larson was ineligible for the playoffs. However, NASCAR granted Larson a waiver after several days of deliberation, and the 2021 Cup Series champion is currently in the playoff field.
Next season, that won’t be a problem. Now that Larson has competed in the 500, Its NASCAR owner, Rick Hendrick, said that Larson’s priority would be to start the 600 if the 500 was delayed by weather or other reason.
