Jeff Gordon has stepped in to halt Kyle Larson’s pursuit of the storied Indianapolis 500 as part of a same-day “Double” attempt, signaling a pause in Larson’s efforts after disappointment at both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 for two consecutive years. The decision brings a dramatic turn for the NASCAR Cup Series champion and fuels questions about the limits and future of drivers balancing races in multiple elite series, especially amid new challenges and policies from NASCAR itself.
A Childhood Dream Confronts Harsh Realities
Kyle Larson’s connection to the Indy 500 runs deep, anchored in a dream first inspired by his father as they watched the legendary race together. The young driver’s admiration for the event was more than professional ambition—it was about honoring family legacy and chasing what he considered the pinnacle of motorsports.
“I would love to. I was always a big Indianapolis fan, mainly because my dad is a huge Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar fan. To me, this is the biggest race in the world,”
said Larson, capturing the emotional and generational weight behind his aspirations.—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver.
For years, Larson waited for the right moment, building his résumé with Chip Ganassi’s programs and ultimately claiming a NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2021.
“Maybe after I win a Cup race, or two or three… or maybe a championship… I can run the Indy 500,”
he previously remarked, showing unwavering hope that success in one domain would unlock opportunity in another.—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver.
Larson’s transition from dream to action came after that championship, as he set his sights on racing both the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in a single day—known as “The Double,” a feat largely unmatched in American racing. Despite unwavering commitment and preparation, bad luck in 2024 and 2025 dashed those hopes—weather delays, crashes, and split schedules left him empty-handed both times. Even as Larson made it to both venues the second year, a wreck at Indianapolis and failure to finish in Charlotte turned another Memorial Day Weekend into heartbreak, not triumph.
Why Jeff Gordon Drew the Line After Years of Support
After two consecutive failed “Double” attempts, Jeff Gordon—once a strong advocate for Larson’s ambitions and now Hendrick Motorsports’ vice president—addressed the matter on the Rubbin is Racing podcast. Gordon contextualized Larson’s motivation to collect victories across different types of racing, aligning him with motorsports legends and risk-takers who have moved between series in search of greatness.
“You have to put yourself in Kyle’s shoes. Kyle loves winning sprint car races and Cup Series races. When you compare yourself to Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt, or Michael Schumacher, you feel like you have to compete and win in a lot of different series. If you’re in that mindset, why not try to win the Indy 500?”
—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports.
However, Gordon also delivered a reality check: the logistics and demands of attempting “The Double” have proven almost insurmountable, grounding Larson’s aspirations for the time being.
“I don’t know if it can be done by trying it this way. The double is difficult. But I could see him doing it someday down the road, if he feels he’s still in his prime, but not doing it as the double,”
Gordon admitted.—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports.
Larson’s role as a full-time Cup Series competitor complicates the possibility of another “Double.” NASCAR’s recently implemented waiver policy—dubbed the “Kyle Larson Rule”—illustrates the sport’s resistance to drivers missing points-based events for outside series. While Hendrick Motorsports and Gordon previously supported Larson’s extracurricular racing, the stakes have escalated, with the team unwilling to accept risks posed by trying to balance both marquee events in one day.
The impact of Gordon’s decision extends beyond logistics to a clear emotional toll. He reflected on Larson’s initial enthusiasm for Indy when he joined the team:
“When he came to Hendrick Motorsports, one of the first things he said to me was, ‘I would love to do Indy one day.’”
—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports.
Gordon’s deep respect for Larson’s skills is evident:
“I admire the heck out of Kyle for what he’s capable of doing,”
he said.—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports. But as a Hall of Famer himself, Gordon also offered a personal contrast, revealing his own focus and the rarity of Larson’s versatility:
“There aren’t many Kyle Larsons. I was very laser-focused on one team, one car, one kind of goal,”
he acknowledged.—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports. He further explained his limitations with such cross-series ambitions:
“I didn’t think I was as good at jumping in and out of cars,”
Gordon confessed.—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports.
Larson’s Perspective: Calling Time on “The Double” but Not the Dream
After the raw disappointment of another failed attempt in 2025, Larson himself summed up the near-impossibility of the challenge.
“The Double is just a tough undertaking. I think the window of time is too tight. Even if I didn’t wreck [in the Indy 500], I don’t think I would have made it here in time and probably would have had to end that race short anyway. I just don’t really think it’s worth it, but I would love to run the Indy 500 again.”
—Kyle Larson, NASCAR Driver. Larson’s words suggest acceptance—at least for now—that running two of America’s biggest races on the same day is, as history shows, a nearly impossible task for today’s drivers with full Cup Series commitments.
Still, Larson’s hope lingers. He has not ruled out a future Indy 500 run but acknowledges it won’t happen while he’s driving for points in NASCAR’s top series. Memories of Tony Stewart, the only driver to complete “the Double” in 2001 after an earlier failed effort, provide context for how rare such success is—and how daunting the challenge remains, even for elite talents.
Policy Changes and the Bigger NASCAR Landscape
The end of Larson’s “Double” attempts comes as NASCAR reinforces its position on driver attendance and points eligibility. The “Kyle Larson Rule” now sets a precedent intended to discourage Cup drivers from skipping points races, further narrowing the window for cross-series exploits. As teams like Hendrick Motorsports balance brand goals, driver safety, and championship ambitions, support for adventure has become notably qualified. The practical demands on drivers, teams, and sponsors all tilt the scale toward a single-series focus for full-time stars.
Jeff Gordon’s Views on NASCAR Horsepower Debate
As Larson’s high-profile challenge fades, Jeff Gordon has redirected his attention to issues still at the heart of NASCAR competition—including the controversial topic of car horsepower. In a recent conversation, Gordon dissected the arguments for and against raising horsepower and altering tire compounds.
“If we thought as a team adding horsepower, adding softer tires, was going to be the fix-all … it’s not. Adding horsepower I think, at certain tracks like the mile tracks and half-mile tracks, I like, I think we’re too glued to the race track right now,”
he asserted.—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports.
His approach weighs both racing excitement for fans and the cost of increased stress on car components. Gordon was clear-eyed about financial limits:
“I hate bringing up cost, but we’re talking about components that won’t last. Not just in the engine.”
—Jeff Gordon, Vice President of Hendrick Motorsports. His comments reflect a balance between technical innovation in stock car racing and sustainability for teams, sponsors, and supporters.
Gordon’s pragmatic stance aims for solutions that focus on driver skill and strategic nuances, rather than simply making cars faster or harder to control. As the Cup Series heads toward new regulations and questions about its direction, voices like Gordon’s remain central to how changes are debated, voted upon, and ultimately implemented.
A Crossroads for Race Chasing Stars
For Kyle Larson, the immediate future means refocusing on the NASCAR Cup Series and shelving his Indy 500 ambitions—at least as long as he fills the seat of the Hendrick Motorsports #5 Chevy. While the passion that first inspired his quest remains alive, logistics, team policy, and new regulations have shifted priorities. Jeff Gordon, both mentor and decision-maker, stands as the figure driving this transition, making clear that the Double will have to wait.
Larson’s journey from a fan in the stands to a top Cup champion who dared to cross racing boundaries continues to resonate across the motorsports world. For now, his pursuit of the “Double” serves as a powerful example of the ambition—and limits—found at the intersection of personal dreams, organizational realities, and the evolving policies of American racing’s elite leagues.
