As NASCAR fans gear up for one of the sport’s biggest weekends, weather has once again entered the conversation. Memorial Day weekend traditionally brings a full slate of racing, with the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 and the Indianapolis 500 commanding the spotlight. For 2021 Cup champion Kyle Larson, who is attempting the grueling Indy-Charlotte double for a second consecutive year, the forecast—courtesy of the National Weather Service—is just as critical as tire strategy.
With rain looming over both Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, teams, fans, and broadcasters alike are watching the skies just as closely as they’re watching lap times.
Kyle Larson Keeps a Close Eye on Weather After 2024 Washout
Last year, Kyle Larson’s shot at racing 1,100 miles in one day was ruined by Mother Nature. Storms soaked the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with 1.48 inches of rain—making it the third-wettest Indy 500 on record. The delay pushed the start of the race back three hours, throwing Larson’s Coca-Cola 600 appearance into jeopardy. Ultimately, weather at both venues forced him to abandon his dream of completing both events.
This year, the 31-year-old is once again entered in both races, but he’s more cautious with his expectations. “It’s been changing day to day; some days it’ll look a little worse and then the next day you check and it looks OK,” Larson said of the weather forecast. “You’re in the Midwest in May. It could be 80 degrees and sunny or it could be raining it’s (expletive) off.”
According to the National Weather Service, Indianapolis is expected to see partly sunny skies with a high near 79°F on Sunday, but the risk of thunderstorms increases Sunday night. That could mean another late start—or worse—for the 108th running of the Indy 500.
In Charlotte, the odds look slightly better. Race day carries just an 18% chance of rain during the scheduled Coca-Cola 600 window. That’s a manageable margin, but as fans and teams know, even a brief shower can significantly disrupt a 600-mile marathon.
Memorial Day Weekend Forecast: Mild Temps, Possible Showers
Fans attending the tripleheader weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway will enjoy mild spring temperatures, but they should also pack a poncho. The detailed forecast from the National Weather Service for Concord, North Carolina, home of CMS, reads as follows:
-
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 76°F. West-northwest winds at 7–9 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
-
Friday Night: Mostly clear, low around 52°F. Calm conditions expected overnight.
-
Saturday: Sunny and pleasant, high near 78°F.
-
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, low around 57°F.
-
Sunday (Race Day): Partly sunny with a high of 79°F.
-
Sunday Night: 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy with a low around 62°F.
-
Memorial Day (Monday): A 50% chance of showers, high near 80°F.
While the forecast doesn’t point to a washout, the increasing rain chances Sunday night could complicate a tight schedule. NASCAR, INDYCAR, and broadcasters will all be making weather contingency plans behind the scenes, hoping to avoid the kind of chaos that marked the 2024 holiday weekend.
Kyle Larson’s Second Double Attempt Draws Less Hype, But He’s Okay With That
Larson made headlines in 2024 for being one of the few drivers in modern history to attempt both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. Only four drivers—John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kurt Busch—have completed the feat. Larson had hoped to join that elite group, but rain had other plans.
In 2025, the attention surrounding his second attempt has been more muted. While he’s still generating buzz in both paddocks, the spectacle feels a bit more measured this time.
“This year compared to last year the hype is a lot less,” Larson said. “Your second go-around, the cool factor is a little less across the board. Not for myself and how I feel about it, but for the media and all that. It’s felt different for sure.”
That shift isn’t a bad thing in Larson’s eyes. He appreciates that other drivers are getting their share of the spotlight this time. “I felt like last year was crazy, like almost too much and not fair to the others in the field,” he said. “Where this year I’d say it’s a little more fair with other drivers getting their spotlight. I like that. I don’t ever like stealing the spotlight from people or the sport. It’s not like I’m flying under the radar this time, I’m just blending in a little bit more.”
News in Brief: Weather Could Shake Up Memorial Day Racing Plans Again
Kyle Larson’s Memorial Day double attempt is once again at the mercy of unpredictable spring weather. With the National Weather Service forecasting possible rain and storms, especially Sunday night, fans and teams must brace for potential delays. Still, Larson remains focused and optimistic. Whether or not Mother Nature cooperates, his determination and poise have earned respect across both racing worlds. All eyes now turn to the skies—and the clock—as one of racing’s toughest challenges returns to center stage.
