Kyle Larson is preparing for one of the most challenging feats in motorsports, attempting to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2025. While last year’s ambitious effort to complete “The Double” was cut short by relentless rain in both Indianapolis and Charlotte, Larson is not backing down, determined to chase a place in racing history. Overcoming not just the physical distance between the two venues, but also logistical hurdles and unpredictable weather, Larson’s return to “The Double” is drawing widespread attention across the racing world.
The rarity and difficulty of this effort cannot be overstated. Each of these iconic races takes place hours and hundreds of miles apart, challenging even the best drivers and teams. In 2024, Kyle Larson’s plans were thwarted by intense rain delays that disrupted both events, extinguishing his chance to become just the fifth driver to attempt both races in a single day. Using a combination of private jet and helicopters, Larson still managed to make it to Charlotte after racing in Indianapolis, but further storms at the Coca-Cola 600 meant that he never had the opportunity to climb into his Hendrick Motorsports Chevy Camaro for the second leg of his journey.
Now, at 32, Kyle Larson is back, more persistent and determined than ever. As he told the Associated Press, the original goal was to give “The Double” only two shots, but after last year’s weather disaster, Larson and his teams are primed to make the most of the knowledge and experience they gained. Both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, with Indy beginning at 12:45 p.m. Eastern and the Coca-Cola 600 kicking off at 6 p.m. EDT. To succeed, Larson must not only handle two drastically different vehicles—an IndyCar and a NASCAR stock car—but outmaneuver unpredictable spring weather in two states separated by nearly 600 miles.
Only four drivers in racing history—John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch—have managed to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Of those, Tony Stewart remains the sole driver to have completed all 1,100 miles when he accomplished the feat in 2001. For Kyle Larson, simply attempting this back-to-back test of endurance, adaptability, and skill is already remarkable. Completing both would elevate his legacy to legendary status.
In 2024, Kyle Larson faced a series of challenges in his Indy 500 debut. Persistent rain in Indianapolis delayed the famed event by four hours, making for stressful timing and added unpredictability. Despite the hurdles, he finished 18th in his first start at the legendary Brickyard. A rapid, carefully coordinated transfer via air from Indianapolis to Charlotte allowed him to arrive in time for the Coca-Cola 600, but heavy rainfall in North Carolina forced officials to call the race early, cutting the event short with 151 laps to go and leaving Larson unable to participate.
Looking forward to 2025, Kyle Larson has poured significant time and resources into making sure every element is prepared. His efforts to qualify, train, and coordinate both races have become a yearlong commitment. As co-owner and participant in the Kubota High Limit Racing Series, as well as his regular drives in NASCAR, Larson continues to hone his skills across every possible discipline involving speed and control.
“I have learned from last year, and from the mistakes along the way,”
Larson explained during a recent interview, highlighting not only his persistence but also his adaptability and drive for excellence.
Kyle Larson will return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the No. 17 Arrow McLaren IndyCar, racing among the sport’s greatest in the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500, which will be broadcast for the first time by FOX. Coverage begins May 25 at 10 a.m. Eastern, with the green flag scheduled for 12:45 p.m. The 500-mile race consists of 200 high-speed laps around the famous 2.5-mile oval, a true test of bravery and precision.
Later in the day, Larson will strive for victory at the Coca-Cola 600 in his familiar No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy Camaro. The NASCAR Cup Series’ longest test of endurance, the Coca-Cola 600 covers 400 laps—600 miles—around the challenging 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. This race will be broadcast on Amazon’s Prime Video, with racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. joining the commentary. The partnership marks a new era in televised racing, and the event is the first of five consecutive NASCAR Cup Series races to be aired on Prime Video as part of the latest media agreement.
The defending champion at the Coca-Cola 600 is Christopher Bell, who won the rain-shortened 2024 edition—the very race that denied Kyle Larson a chance at history. The defending champion at the Indianapolis 500, Josef Newgarden, will also be looking to make his own mark, aiming for a third consecutive victory and the rare honor of winning the race three times in a row, a feat never before accomplished.
Coverage of practice and qualifying for both events begins earlier in the week. In Indianapolis, festivities start on May 13 with the opening of practice, and qualifying follows on May 17 and 18, all available on FOX, FOXSports.com and the Fox Sports app. At Charlotte, practice and qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 kick off on May 24 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern. This tight schedule leaves no margin for error, demanding total precision and coordination from both Kyle Larson and his support teams.
Last year’s setbacks have only fueled Larson’s ambition. His teams have meticulously reviewed every logistical challenge, refining travel plans and on-track strategies to avoid any repeat of the weather disruptions that plagued his first attempt.
“It’s all about preparation and being ready for anything,”
said a Hendrick Motorsports spokesperson, illustrating the intensity behind the scenes as they prepare to support Larson’s dual campaign. Backed by a year of hard-won experience, the entire effort now feels even more unified and determined.
This return to “The Double” comes amid a busy calendar for Larson, who has already notched two NASCAR Cup Series wins this season, demonstrating his form and resilience. Every practice lap, qualifying session, and race this spring has been undertaken with an eye on May 25. Larson’s commitment extends beyond himself; dozens of teammates, engineers, logistics experts, and crew chiefs have spent months perfecting every aspect of the attempt. Their shared goal: give Kyle Larson every possible tool for success and a genuine shot at making motorsports history.
If successful, Kyle Larson would become only the second driver ever to complete all 1,100 miles of these two events in a single day—equaling the extraordinary achievement of Tony Stewart in 2001. Even among professional drivers, the physical toll, concentration, and stamina required are almost unfathomable. Shifting from the open-wheel, ultra-high-speed demands of an IndyCar to the heavier, more physically demanding NASCAR stock car in the span of mere hours requires mental flexibility and relentless determination, traits Larson has displayed throughout his career.
Fans will be able to watch every moment live, with FOX bringing comprehensive coverage and analysis from Indiana, and Amazon’s Prime Video broadcasting the spectacle from North Carolina. Elsewhere, outlets like FloRacing will follow the action throughout May, providing behind-the-scenes insights and in-depth reporting, as both venues come alive with anticipation. Video highlights and archived footage will allow fans to relive every twist, turn, and high-speed dash for years to come.
The significance of this attempt is clear. Should Larson battle through the elements, travel, and competition to succeed, he would solidify his reputation as one of the most versatile and determined racers of his generation. The story has become about more than just one man’s quest—it reflects the spirit of racing itself, where drivers and teams are willing to test the limits of human performance and strategy for a shot at immortality.
All eyes are on May 25. If the weather cooperates and Larson’s relentless preparation pays off, history could be made. As he takes the green flag in Indianapolis and aims to fly south for the Coca-Cola 600, the racing community will be watching, united in anticipation, wondering if Kyle Larson’s persistence, skill, and sheer willpower can overcome every obstacle—natural or otherwise—on the path to becoming only the second man to conquer “The Double” in a single day. For fans, this is more than a race; it’s a demonstration of what it means to dream big, push the limits, and chase greatness, one mile at a time.
