Kyle Larson attempts Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double this Memorial Day weekend, capturing attention from motorsports fans and the racing community alike as he strives to achieve a rare feat. The excitement intensified when NASCAR released a lighthearted video that teased common racing narratives, including the frequent comparisons between Larson and reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen.
This is Larson’s second consecutive year trying to conquer the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 back-to-back. Having grown in confidence and preparation, the 2021 Cup Series champion will compete in the 109th Indianapolis 500 driving the #17 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren Racing, in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and Prime Video. Once his open-wheel challenge concludes, Larson plans to switch to the #5 Chevy and rejoin Hendrick Motorsports for NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 later the same evening.
In a playful promotional video, released on May 20, fans watched as Larson’s NASCAR persona walked into a room, only to be confronted by his own IndyCar alter ego. The two versions of Larson exchange witty remarks about adapting to different racing machines and poke fun at the pit road speeding penalty that disrupted last year’s attempt at this grueling motorsports double-header. IndyCar Larson cheekily reminds the NASCAR side that they share the same ultimate aim.
responds Larson’s NASCAR persona. —Larson’s NASCAR persona
This joke alludes to Larson’s widely discussed interview with Flo Racing, where he boldly stated he believed himself to be a more versatile driver than Max Verstappen. He highlighted his experience and adaptability across disciplines, driving dirt cars, stock cars, and now venturing into open-wheel racing.
To provide clarity on his comments, Kyle Larson explained to The Athletic that while he had only claimed to be a better all-around driver than Verstappen, some interpreted his remarks as an assertion of being the greatest in the world. Larson found this reaction amusing because Max Verstappen is commonly regarded as the world’s best on the Formula 1 circuit.
—Kyle Larson
Verstappen, meanwhile, avoided escalating the rivalry, calmly noting during an F1 press conference that he would enjoy exploring other forms of racing once his Formula 1 journey concludes.
The spoof video wraps up with a humorous appearance from ‘Dirt Car Larson,’ referencing Larson’s impressive record in grassroots dirt and sprint car competitions. This playful touch reflects his diverse racing background, which has been at the heart of the current debate about versatility among top drivers.
Larsen’s effort to achieve the demanding Indy-Charlotte Double has already made 2025 a landmark year. He is the first driver since Kurt Busch in 2014 to qualify for both iconic events, and he stands out as the only full-time NASCAR Cup Series competitor to seriously pursue this challenge in over a decade. The partnership between Rick Hendrick and Arrow McLaren Racing—marketed as #Hendrick1100—played a pivotal role in granting Larson access to a leading IndyCar entry and offering him a genuine shot at completing both races.
Larson’s sessions leading up to the Indy 500 showed steady progress, keeping him within the top ten on several occasions and logging more laps than any other competitor at times. When it came time to qualify, he landed 21st place after recording a combined four-lap time of 02:35.624s, with an average speed of 231.326 mph around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Meanwhile, Prema Racing’s rookie, Robert Schwartzman, secured the pole by producing a slightly faster aggregate time and averaging 232.79 mph.
Last season, unfavorable weather cut short Larson’s Double attempt, preventing him from taking the green flag at the start of the Coca-Cola 600 despite finishing 18th in the Indy 500 after a pit road infraction. This time, he aims to make history by becoming the second driver after Tony Stewart in 2001 to complete all 1,100 race miles on the same day.
Regardless of the final outcome, Kyle Larson’s willingness to push the boundaries across NASCAR, IndyCar, and grassroots levels distinguishes him from his peers. As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the racing community will be watching closely to see if he can accomplish one of motorsport’s most demanding feats, solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s most dynamic drivers.
