Kyle Larson, one of the brightest stars in motorsports today, is set to take on one of racing’s most demanding and celebrated challenges: the Double Duty on Memorial Day weekend, aiming to complete both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in a single day. The rare feat, which demands 1,100 miles of intense high-speed competition, has only been completed once before—by Tony Stewart in 2001. As Larson gears up for his attempt, the entire racing world watches, fueled by anticipation and echoed warnings from Stewart himself, as to just what it takes to make history on such a grand stage.
Larson is no stranger to bold ambitions behind the wheel, but the intensity of this moment cannot be overstated. Stewart’s legendary double nearly a quarter-century ago raised the standard for all who follow; he drove for Chip Ganassi in Indy and then for Joe Gibbs Racing in Charlotte, finishing sixth at the Brickyard and third in NASCAR’s longest race. Exhausted, Stewart reflected,
When you’re done with the 600… it still feels like it’s not stopped moving yet.
The magnitude of that day shaped Stewart and left a blueprint for everyone who dares to try. Now, Kyle Larson is fully committed to the chase.
For Larson, this Double Duty attempt is not simply about personal glory. The challenge stands as a test of speed, stamina, and concentration that few even dare to attempt. He recalls the heartbreak from his 2024 effort, when weather and circumstance derailed his historic run. Despite qualifying fifth for the Indianapolis 500 and showing real speed as a rookie, a pit lane penalty dropped him from contention. Bad weather further delayed the race, forcing Larson into a tough decision: stay at Indy to pursue glory, or fly to Charlotte and keep his NASCAR bid intact. As fate would have it, he remained at the speedway, ultimately earning Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors, but missing his chance to even take the green flag at the Coca-Cola 600, where a rainout sealed the race before he could compete.
Justin Allgaier took his place in the no. 5 chevrolet/”>Chevrolet, but victory at Charlotte went to Christopher Bell. For many drivers, such setbacks might discourage further attempts at one of motorsport’s greatest challenges. For Kyle Larson, however, the taste of unfinished business only strengthened his determination to return, learn, and prepare to do what only Tony Stewart has ever accomplished: finish every mile, in both cars, on the same day.
Tony Stewart has emerged as a mentor and voice of caution during Kyle Larson’s preparations, offering support infused with honest analysis. Speaking on the “Rubbin is Racing” show, Stewart declared,
I think Kyle’s got the feat of all 1,100 miles. Kyle should be able to do that, no problem. That’s not as hard as it used to be back in the day.
Yet, Stewart also pointed out that the true challenge lies not at Charlotte, but on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway—where a single misstep on pit road, a loose wheel, or just a slip in focus can end a driver’s day and their dream of history.
You get him to Charlotte—that’s like, he can do that blindfolded and one hand tied behind his back. He has a shot to win that, no doubt. Indy’s the variable of the equation. He’s the type of guy… if he doesn’t make any mistakes at Indy… he’s in a good position. But any one mistake—if it’s a pit deal, if somebody screws up and leaves a wheel loose… those are the things that can take you out,
Stewart explained.
While Stewart’s record stands tall, the fierce competition and intensified athletic demands of today’s IndyCar racing mean that even matching his accomplishment would elevate Kyle Larson’s name into the pantheon of motorsports legends. Stewart maintained that circumstances in IndyCar have grown even more challenging, noting,
So, if Larson even comes close to what he did, he believes ‘he’s outperformed what we did.’
The bar for greatness has moved, and Larson’s pursuit is being watched with both admiration and wary respect.
The 2024 open test at Indianapolis offered a timely reminder of the dangers lurking at every corner. Larson, pushing to discover the limits of his No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, made a minor mistake resulting in a gentle crash. Although the damage was light, the mishap highlighted how high the stakes are, even during practice. In motorsport, every lap is a potential turning point, and as Stewart warned,
one slip, even in practice, can change everything at the Brickyard.
For Kyle Larson, each session—the triumphs, the setbacks, and the unforeseen—becomes part of the relentless preparation for the big day.
There is something mythic about chasing history where the margin between glory and heartbreak is impossibly thin. As Kyle Larson returns to Double Duty, he does so bolstered by lessons learned and by a surprisingly supportive figure in Stewart.
I’m a huge Kyle Larson fan… Records are made to be broken… I feel like Kyle is the guy that could legitimately do that—and he could do it this year,
Stewart admitted, giving a heartfelt endorsement that cuts across generational rivalry. With Prime Video joining as a sponsor and documentary producer for both entries—the IndyCar Arrow McLaren entry and the NASCAR Hendrick Motorsports ride—Larson’s journey is not only about sporting achievement, but also an immersive story set to inspire millions. Cameras will follow every twist, setback, and triumph, bringing fans into the locker room and pit lane for a behind-the-scenes documentary spanning the 2024 and 2025 attempts.
This multiplatform storytelling is part of the #Hendrick1100 campaign, shining a bright spotlight on both Kyle Larson and his Hendrick teammates, who are striving to rewrite the record books together. Social media, mainstream outlets, and even casual fans have started to buzz over what is shaping up to be one of the most compelling narratives in recent racing history. The combined sponsorship and media partnership have elevated expectations and pressure, all resonating with an urgency that only amplifies the stakes of the challenge ahead.
Historically, few drivers have succeeded at Double Duty, and the handful who tried—like Kurt Busch in 2014—have come up just short or faced cruel misfortune. Busch finished sixth at Indy but suffered a crash at Charlotte that ended his attempt. Before that, only Stewart had achieved perfection, with his sixth and third-place finishes remaining the benchmark for ultimate endurance and skill. Each attempt reminds drivers and fans alike how elusive this feat remains.
For Kyle Larson, the inspiration and rivalry with Tony Stewart runs deeper than statistical comparison. Both drivers are icons for their versatility, having come from dirt track racing to conquer multiple disciplines in motorsports. Stewart—the man known as “Smoke”—is now breaking new ground in NHRA Top Fuel drag racing, having won at the highest levels in NASCAR, IndyCar, and now drag racing. Despite his youth and adventurous spirit, Kyle Larson has shown no plans to chase Stewart into the drag strip—at least, not yet.
Speaking candidly on the ‘Stacking Pennies’ podcast, Kyle Larson said about drag racing,
I don’t know…it’s not on the table currently. I don’t know. No, I don’t think so. But I’m only 32. I feel like that’s what people do when they turn 50. Let’s go 300 and some miles now. Like, that’s a great time of my life to do that. Maybe once I turn 50 and get old like him. I’ll change my mind.
Yet, even as he jokes, the respect between the two drivers is genuine. After Stewart clinched his NHRA Top Fuel win in Las Vegas, Larson sent a congratulatory message,
Just another awesome thing to add to his resume. Just solidifies him even more as the greatest all-around race car driver ever.
The friendship is real, built on respect earned at every level and in every vehicle.
What stands out most about Kyle Larson’s approach to Double Duty is his willingness to adapt and learn with openness and humility. His experience in 2024, where unexpected rain, pit penalties, and logistical challenges combined to dash his hopes, has only made him more determined. Unlike many drivers who have faded after a tough break, Larson seems energized by adversity, drawing clear lessons from each setback. His approach to fitness, nutrition, and hydration is meticulous, in part inspired by Stewart’s 2001 regimen that included a dedicated nutritionist and a rigorous physical preparation plan. This attention to detail, paired with a relentless drive, gives supporters hope that this year’s attempt might just succeed where so many have failed.
As May approaches and the engines roar to life at both Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson stands at the precipice of making motorsports history. The logistical demands alone are staggering, requiring helicopters, tight flight schedules, and a team of professionals coordinating every movement. Both races are physically punishing—500 miles at Indianapolis through a close-knit field of open-wheel specialists, followed by 600 miles in a stock car against NASCAR’s elite, often deep into the night.
Weather, fatigue, mechanical reliability, and the unpredictable variables of high-speed racing each loom over the day with the constant threat to disrupt the plan. It’s a real-life high-wire act, one in which confidence and crisis are neighbors, and every second matters. Kyle Larson must battle not only his competitors but time, logistics, and forces beyond any driver’s control. The endurance needed is physical, mental, and emotional, as Stewart described when reflecting on the toll of Double Duty:
When you’re done with the 600…you’re very, very content to lay your head on a pillow. And even when you do that, it still feels like it’s not stopped moving yet.
Fans of both IndyCar and NASCAR are uniting behind Kyle Larson’s quest, drawn to the potential for witnessing something historic. If successful, he will join a club of one, standing alongside Stewart in racing folklore. Even a near-miss will be worthy of respect, considering today’s finely balanced field, the speed of pit stops, and relentless competition. Stewart has made it clear that records are meant to be challenged, expressing,
I feel like Kyle is the guy…he could do it this year.
Such faith from a legend only heightens the intensity and drama of the coming attempt.
Additionally, the IndyCar field in 2025 stands as one of the most competitive in recent memory. The technical sophistication of the cars, increasingly advanced strategies on pit lane, and the razor-thin margins for error push every participant to the limits of their craft. Charlotte, too, presents its own set of demands—the length of the race, changing conditions over four stages, and close NASCAR competition means every lap can bring unexpected developments. Success in either race would be notable; doing both, seamlessly, in one day, rises to the level of folklore.
Kyle Larson’s presence across multiple racing circuits also tests him with unique demands. In NASCAR, he is recognized for his tactical acumen and ability to adapt to changing conditions, regularly winning on ovals and road courses alike. He also remains a force on the dirt tracks, demonstrating the fundamental skills—car control, adaptability, and courage—that form the foundation of elite drivers. IndyCar presents a distinct challenge, rewarding precision and bravery in equal measure. The upcoming Double Duty requires all these tools, blended with flawless management from Larson and his crews. The support of Rick Hendrick and Arrow McLaren signals enormous faith in what Larson can do, and the energy in both paddocks has reached a fever pitch.
Yet, at its core, this challenge is about more than results. Kyle Larson embodies the rare athlete who, when faced with daunting odds or past disappointment, becomes even more resolute to see his vision through. Stewart, now settled into his new drag racing life but watching closely, sees a kindred spirit, someone unafraid to test boundaries and take risks for greatness.
Just another awesome thing to add to his resume,
Larson said of Stewart’s own success—a sentiment that could soon be mirrored back if Larson’s run is successful.
The eyes of the motorsports world will be on Kyle Larson throughout the hubbub and chaos of race day. Success would mark the first time in decades that a driver finished all 1,100 miles, and set a new modern standard for what is possible in motor racing. Even if the attempt falls short, the journey—documented for fans, fueled by hard work and guided by the experiences of Stewart—will stand as one of the most audacious and inspirational efforts in the sport’s current era.
If Kyle Larson triumphs, he will redefine expectations for future generations, showing that boundaries in racing exist to be tested and, sometimes, to be broken. But regardless of the finishing order, his bid represents the spirit at the heart of motorsports: courage, adaptability, and relentless ambition. Stewart will be watching, along with millions of fans, as history waits to see if records fall and if a new legend emerges from one of racing’s most grueling and glorious days.
