Kyle Larson made history last year simply by attempting the famed Memorial Day “Double” — racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. This year, he’s back to do it again. On Saturday, Larson officially locked himself into the 108th running of the Indy 500 by qualifying 21st for the prestigious race. While it wasn’t the flashiest result, it was a steady performance that keeps Larson’s dream alive and the spotlight shining on his historic attempt.
Now, with the Indy 500 just days away and the NASCAR All-Star Race set for Sunday night, Larson shifts focus to another wild week of racing — one that could define his legacy in both open-wheel and stock car racing.
Kyle Larson Grinds Through a Tough Saturday at Indy
Qualifying at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is no easy task — especially when you’re splitting time between two racing disciplines. For Kyle Larson, the challenge began on “Fast Friday” when he spun and made contact with the wall during practice. Though the hit wasn’t severe, it was a sobering reminder of just how unforgiving the 2.5-mile oval can be.
Fortunately, the Arrow McLaren crew worked quickly to repair the No. 17 Chevrolet. Larson was able to get back out on track just as the session ended, shaking the car down in preparation for qualifying.
Come Saturday morning, Larson’s first four-lap run placed him 27th — not a terrible effort, but not the kind of speed needed to sleep easy. “After the first run I was a little nervous we’d be one of the guys battling for the final spots,” Larson admitted afterward.
A second attempt in the mid-afternoon saw improvement. He climbed into the top 20 for a time and eventually landed 21st on the grid once the dust settled. It wasn’t good enough to crack the Top 12 and fight for the pole, but it was more than enough to lock him into the show.
Chasing a Racing Legacy: The Memorial Day “Double”
Only four other drivers in motorsports history have attempted to run the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day: John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch. Larson becomes the fifth — and just the second in the last decade.
The double is a grueling test of mental and physical stamina. It requires not only talent, but relentless preparation, top-tier equipment, and a lot of faith. Stewart holds the best combined result to date, finishing sixth at Indy and third at Charlotte in 2001. Larson will be aiming to one-up that achievement, and his current form suggests he’s capable.
As the reigning NASCAR Cup Series points leader and the 2021 champion, Larson has been in dominant form all season long. Now, with an Indy 500 berth secured and the Coca-Cola 600 still ahead, the pieces are in place for one of the most memorable days in American motorsports history.
Managing Expectations and Momentum
Despite his 21st-place starting spot, Larson isn’t letting nerves or pressure get in his way. “Obviously, we would have loved to have been in the Fast 12 again,” he said, “but overall, a good day — we got two runs in.”
Larson qualified fifth for the Indy 500 in 2024 and even then had to work his way through the field after a bad restart. He’s confident he can do the same this time around. “I had a bad restart early last year and fell back to near that position, and we were able to fight our way back forward,” he recalled. “Just execute some good laps and hopefully we’ll have a good result.”
His comfort level with the car was slightly off compared to last year, but manageable. “It was fairly comfortable, just slightly less comfortable than what I felt last year in qualifying,” Larson said. “I just got a little bit of a free moment into Turn 2 on the last lap but other than that I felt pretty balanced.”
Indy Grid Set, Drama Awaits on Sunday
While Larson’s position is set, the drama at Indy is far from over. The Top 12 qualifiers — including names like Alex Palou, Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, and Pato O’Ward — will fight it out on Sunday for pole position. McLaughlin barely trailed Palou with a four-lap average of 233.013 mph, making Sunday’s Fast Six showdown one to watch.
Meanwhile, the bottom end of the grid faces a high-stakes Last Chance Qualifier. Big names like Marco Andretti, Rinus Veekay, Marcus Armstrong, and Jacob Abel are on the bubble. Only three of them will make the race.
Colton Herta provided one of the most dramatic moments on Saturday when he flipped during his early qualifying run. Amazingly, Herta returned late in the session and posted a strong enough run to qualify 29th — bumping Andretti into the danger zone.
Larson may not be part of those two high-pressure sessions, but he’ll be watching closely. Every piece of data and positioning could affect his strategy for race day.
News in Brief: Kyle Larson Qualifies 21st for the Indy 500
Qualifying 21st for the Indy 500 might not be a headline-grabbing result, but for Kyle Larson, it’s a crucial step in a bigger journey. The Californian is now just days away from attempting one of the rarest feats in American motorsports — the Memorial Day “Double.” With the Indy 500 in the morning and the Coca-Cola 600 at night, Larson is chasing not just two trophies, but a place in racing history.
His next stop is North Wilkesboro for the NASCAR All-Star Race, but all eyes will be back on Indianapolis next Sunday. Whether it’s fighting through the middle of the pack or jetting to Charlotte for another 600 miles, Larson’s path is clear: race hard, stay focused, and keep chasing greatness.
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