Kyle Larson is aiming to replicate Tony Stewart‘s historic Double accomplishment in motorsports by competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, but doubts are swirling about whether he can match Stewart’s legendary feat. Kevin Harvick, among others, questions whether Larson can overcome the mounting challenges and live up to this famously grueling test of endurance and versatility.
The pursuit of the Double—completing 500 miles at Indianapolis followed by 600 miles at Charlotte on the same day—remains one of racing’s most demanding achievements. In 2001, Tony Stewart became the first and only driver to successfully finish both events in one day, finishing sixth at the Indianapolis 500 before racing to third place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stewart’s winless but impressive performance cemented his place in motorsports history. Now, decades later, Kyle Larson is determined to join that exclusive club, following a previous incomplete attempt by Stewart in 1999.
For fans and competitors alike, Stewart’s accomplishment sets a high bar. It wasn’t just the physical challenge, but the mastery of two completely different vehicles under punishing conditions. Reflecting the significance of what’s at stake, many believe any driver who comes close—or surpasses—Stewart’s 2001 performance would make history anew. Even Tony Stewart himself has commented on the possibility of Larson taking the Double to new heights, suggesting he would welcome the challenge.
“I don’t think it’s out of the realm for him to beat what we did in terms of performance. If anyone’s going to break (Stewart’s feat), I’d like it to be Kyle. … Anytime he’s racing anything, I’m a fan.”
—Tony Stewart, Driver
Larson’s Indy 500 Preparation Hits Major Snags
Despite his success in the NASCAR Cup Series, Kyle Larson’s preparation for the Indianapolis 500 in 2025 has faced significant setbacks. While he sits near the top of the standings in NASCAR, his transition to IndyCar hasn’t been smooth. During two separate practice sessions at Indianapolis, held in April and May, Larson struggled with pace, and his efforts were marred by crashes caused by challenging weather conditions. Mechanical crews needed an hour or more to repair the damage each time, indicating just how tough Indy can be for even elite drivers.
On qualifying day, Larson couldn’t match his 2024 performance—last year, he started the Indy 500 from the sixth position, but this year he dropped to a far more precarious 21st on the grid. Larson was candid about the challenges:
“I don’t like qualifying here, (The runs) just get sketchier each time you go out.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
The quality and unpredictability of practice and qualifying runs have raised substantial concerns about whether Larson can achieve—or even complete—the Double this year. Unquestionably, the step up from stock cars to an open-wheel IndyCar, especially when the track is treacherous, is no minor hurdle.
Kevin Harvick: Expectations Should Be Tempered
Kevin Harvick, a respected figure in NASCAR and former Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner, has added his voice to the chorus of skepticism. On his podcast, Harvick outlined what he believes are realistic expectations for Larson’s attempt at the feat, especially given the setbacks and the shift in Larson’s starting position.
“I think the goal is to run the 1100 laps, I don’t think he has the chance to win,”
said Harvick, making it clear where he believes Larson’s best prospects lie. According to Harvick, Larson’s real opportunity is at Charlotte, not Indianapolis, and simply finishing both races on the lead lap—covering the full 1,100 miles—would already be a significant result. The fall from a favorable sixth-place start last year to 21st this year only intensifies the challenge ahead for the Hendrick Motorsports driver.
“I think that he could come back and be a real contender at the Coke 600, yeah, I think just being able to finish on the lead lap in Indy and run all 1100 miles to check that box is probably the most realistic goal for this year.”
—Kevin Harvick, Former NASCAR Driver
Meanwhile, there’s additional pressure because of the logistical complexity of the double-duty effort. In 2024, weather complications forced Larson to choose between the two events, ultimately causing him to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600 and affecting his playoff eligibility. Hendrick Motorsports has now made it clear Larson must prioritize the Charlotte race if weather delays return, adding further uncertainty to his bid for the Double and making the challenge even greater.
Weather Worries and Team Strategies Add Complexity
The threat of rain or sudden weather could again disrupt the carefully orchestrated plans for the Double. If conditions force a decision, Larson’s team at Hendrick Motorsports has been open that NASCAR will take precedence. This stipulation means Larson might be forced to exit one race early to make the start of the other, which reduces the odds of successfully completing both legs of the Double. The memories of last year’s playoff drama—when rule waivers became a matter of intense debate after Larson’s weather-induced absence from the Coca-Cola 600—still linger, highlighting just how fragile such a challenge can be.
As Memorial Day approaches and attention intensifies, there remains deep uncertainty over whether Larson can fulfill the historic ambition. The physical, logistical, and emotional pressures are mounting as the racing community eagerly anticipates whether he can finally cross the finish lines of both events in one day.
Mamba Smith, co-host of Harvick’s podcast, reinforced how difficult it is to simply finish the combined 1,100 miles, regardless of winning either individual race. Smith echoed the sentiment that completing every single lap would be a worthy achievement in itself, particularly given the spike in accidents and difficulty of recent practice sessions:
“I think the goal should be to run the whole thing. It’s just so hard to do that. But the interesting thing about this, though, is how many wrecks there have been in practice over all, which scares me. The track is treacherous for everybody… so like let’s make sure we get the overall goal, which is to complete all the laps.”
—Mamba Smith, Podcast Co-Host
Public Scrutiny and the Verstappen Comparison
Adding to Larson’s pressures, an ongoing comparison with Max Verstappen, the Formula 1 champion, continues to fuel debate in racing circles. After a 2024 interview in which Larson claimed to be a better all-around driver than Verstappen due to his versatility, fans and critics latched onto the claim, misinterpreting it as an assertion of global dominance. Larson clarified that he never called himself the greatest, yet the scrutiny lingers, intensifying every time he faces a setback—especially amid his Double bid.
“People act like I’m the one who said, ‘I am the greatest race car driver in the world,’”
commented Larson.
“I never said that. I just said, ‘I’m a better all-around driver than Max Verstappen.’And they took that as I said, ‘I’m the greatest in the world.’ Because, for some reason, Max is considered the greatest in the world. So it’s funny.”
—Kyle Larson, Driver
Even promotional content from NASCAR has leaned into this rivalry, referencing the “Verstappen question” and the relentless analysis of every one of Larson’s on-track decisions. The criticism and attention only add to the high-stakes environment as he attempts to join Tony Stewart in the rarefied air of motorsports immortality.
What’s at Stake if Larson Succeeds—or Fails
Victory or even successful completion of both races would make Kyle Larson just the second driver ever to achieve what Tony Stewart accomplished in 2001, solidifying his legacy in American motorsports. The Double is a test of skill, endurance, and adaptability, and those who witness it understand its magnitude. However, a failure—whether due to mechanical issues, crashes, weather, or the sheer exhaustion of switching between two disciplines—would be a stark reminder of why Stewart remains alone at the pinnacle of this achievement.
As the racing world awaits Memorial Day, the challenge facing Larson is both daunting and historic. Tony Stewart’s Double accomplishment in motorsports stands as a testament to the difficulty and prestige of this pursuit, and whether Larson can match or even surpass it will be watched by millions across America. The result will not only shape Larson’s career but could also redefine what is possible in American auto racing.
With questions swirling and pressure mounting, all eyes now turn to Indianapolis and Charlotte to see if Kyle Larson can defy the odds and etch his name alongside Tony Stewart in the annals of motorsports greatness.
