Kyle Larson stands on the brink of motor racing’s ultimate challenge as he prepares for an action-packed May that sees him chase the historic “Double”—competing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on a single day. Determined to script his own redemption story, Larson’s journey is framed by the legendary achievements of Tony Stewart, whose guidance and legacy are both motivation and blueprint as Larson looks to etch his name in racing history this month.
This year marks Larson’s second attempt at completing the notorious 1,100-mile endeavor, a feat only five drivers in history have attempted. Among them, Tony Stewart remains the only one to have finished both races on the same day, a moment that set the standard in 2001. Now, with NASCAR races placing increasing demands on his time and the pressure to perform mounting, Larson embraces the chaos, describing himself as “excited” and ready to immerse himself in high-speed challenges across America’s classic racing arenas.
Kyle Larson said, reflecting on the hectic schedule ahead. As soon as Sunday’s checkered flag falls at Kansas Speedway, his focus will shift to Indianapolis, but not before a special detour that pays direct tribute to Tony Stewart. Before the critical Indy 500 qualifying sessions, Larson is set to line up in a sprint car race on Indiana dirt, retracing the iconic path Stewart carved through short-track glory decades before.
Larson’s participation in Monday night’s High Limit Racing event at Kokomo is more than just another race; it is an intentional homage to Tony Stewart’s roots. Stewart, often referred to as “Smoke,” made history in 1995 when he became the first driver to capture the USAC “Triple Crown” by winning national titles in Midget, Sprint Car, and Silver Crown categories. For Larson, competing at Kokomo is a way of connecting with that legendary spirit and preparing himself for the bowtie of the racing season in Indianapolis.
Larson confidently stated when addressing the tightrope walk of balancing multiple disciplines and commitments.
This mindset echoes Tony Stewart’s enduring lesson—relentless competition, adaptability, and the willingness to throw oneself into the fire of unfamiliar challenges. For young fans and seasoned race watchers alike, Larson’s passionate drive stands as proof that Stewart’s example continues to shape the next generation of racing stars.
Larson’s resilience was on full display during last year’s attempt at the “Double.” With ambitions running high, cruel weather intervened, delaying the Indy 500 and leaving Larson without the chance to turn even a single lap in the Coca-Cola 600. At Indianapolis, a strong run unraveled with a late-race pit road speeding penalty, denying him the storybook debut he craved. Now, the quest feels even more urgent. Larson’s 2025 May calendar is stacked: back-to-back High Limit Racing events, long hours of practice on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and a quick pivot to North Wilkesboro for the NASCAR All-Star Race—all in rapid succession.
The logistics are daunting. This packed itinerary has already forced some difficult choices, underscoring Larson’s commitment and the tricky balancing act involved. When asked whether he would sacrifice a potential top-six qualifying run in Indianapolis for the NASCAR All-Star Race, Larson spelled it out plainly:
With Hendrick Motorsports drawing a hard line on priorities, if weather once again threatens, Larson will be called to leave the Indy 500 and fly back to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600—commitment to his NASCAR team unequivocally comes first.
Even as he prepares for new Indianapolis memories, Larson’s performances on the NASCAR circuit this season have been electric. At Kansas Speedway, he started from pole—underscoring his dominance across 1.5-mile tracks within the Next Gen era. When pressed for the secret behind his consistency, Larson offered a layered response:
He credits his prowess to the rigorous training and racing experience amassed on short tracks and sprint cars, the very same proving grounds where Tony Stewart made his name.
Larson elaborated on this deep connection, stating,
Five wins on 1.5-mile circuits in the Next Gen period, including last year’s jaw-dropping margin of 0.001 seconds at Kansas, have fueled his credentials as one of NASCAR’s most versatile drivers. Reflecting on racecraft, he added,
His versatility calls back to Tony Stewart’s own reputation for tackling any car, any track, at any time—a trait that inspired admiration across motorsports, and now finds new life in Larson’s relentless pace. The emotional underpinnings of this season are clear: Larson is not only racing for wins, but to prove that the spirit which animated Stewart’s era still has champions today. Every twist and turn—whether on a dirt oval under Indiana lights or the daunting banking of Charlotte—serves to test and grow that legacy.
There is a sense of destiny and unfinished business about Larson’s May campaign. The desire to join Tony Stewart in the exclusive club of racers who have conquered America’s most demanding “Double” is about more than statistics—it’s about living up to a standard of greatness. The lessons drawn from Stewart’s career shine through in each of Larson’s decisions, choices guided by both reverence for history and a burning need to make his own mark.
If the weather holds, and if luck tilts his way, Larson has the rarest opportunity to turn an action-packed month into another legendary chapter of racing folklore. With a Kansas victory, a triumphant sprint car race paying homage to Tony Stewart, and a career-defining run at both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600, he could secure a reputation as one of the most versatile and relentless competitors of his generation.
Larson’s approach, balancing professionalism with a willingness to embrace chaos and challenge, is precisely what Tony Stewart embodied. For high school fans eagerly tracking his journey, the emotional stakes are high, and the lessons run deeper than lap times and leaderboards. The intensity of competition, the passion for the craft, and the unwavering drive to chase greatness are proving contagious, drawing new eyes not only to Kyle Larson but to the enduring influence Tony Stewart has on American motorsports.
Though the checkered flag has yet to fall on this year’s Indy 500, the story has already captured the imaginations of fans nationwide. Every step Larson takes—from the dirt of Kokomo to the brickyard of Indianapolis and the speed of Charlotte—is a step alongside his racing hero, demonstrating that Tony Stewart’s legacy is alive and thriving in the heart of a new generation. Whatever the final outcome, Larson’s May journey will stand as a testament to the power of mentorship, the importance of ambition, and the unbreakable bond between past and present in the world of racing.
As the engines roar and the green flags drop, the motorsports world will be watching—in awe, in support, and in anticipation. The next few weeks promise drama, excitement, and, if Tony Stewart’s example holds true, perhaps a little history in the making.
