As 33 cars line up for the 109th Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, Kyle Larson is gearing up for an intense day. He’s set to cover 1,100 miles, having already claimed two checkered flags, with hopes of making his mark in motorsport history.
For the second year in a row, Larson is attempting a “double,” which entails racing in the Indianapolis 500 before heading to Charlotte for the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.
Before diving into Larson’s specific plans, let’s explore the history of the “double,” what happened last season, and the potential obstacles he might face in his quest for motorsport glory.
What is a “double”?
So, what does “double” really mean?
A “double” refers to a driver trying to compete in two of the top races in motorsport on the same day. The sequence starts with the Indianapolis 500, followed by the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Indianapolis 500 is a prominent event, part of the “Triple Crown of Motorsport,” alongside the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24-hour Le Mans.
The Coca-Cola 600 is notable for being the longest race in the NASCAR season, ranking alongside the Daytona 500 among the biggest events.
These doubles present both physical and mental hurdles, as drivers must adapt to managing 1,100 miles across two distinct tracks, not to mention handling two different types of race cars: the IndyCar and the NASCAR stock car.
Has anyone completed a “double”?
Historically, attempting the double has been quite rare. Only a few drivers have attempted it when both races fell on the same day, with Tony Stewart being the only one to finish all the laps successfully.
Junior Johnson was the first to try during the 1963 season, but while he completed the World 600, he didn’t qualify for the Indianapolis 500 that year. Attempts continued over the years, but scheduling conflicts kept most drivers from completing both races on the same day.
The landscape shifted when Charlotte Motor Speedway added lights for nighttime racing in 1992, allowing the Coca-Cola 600 to move to a later start time. This development opened up travel possibilities for drivers who wanted to attempt the double.
John Andretti made the first same-day attempt in 1994, finishing the Indianapolis 500 before rushing to Charlotte, but unfortunately, he suffered an engine failure. Others, like Davy Jones and Robbie Gordon, also tried but faced challenges as well.
Then came Stewart’s groundbreaking attempt in 2001, where he became the first driver to complete all 1,100 miles in a single day, finishing in impressive positions for both races. To this day, he remains the only driver to have achieved this feat.
Since then, drivers like Gordon and Kyle Busch have attempted doubles, but none managed to complete the full distance.
What happened in the first “Hendrick 1100”?
Last year marked Larson’s inaugural try at the double, dubbed “Hendrick 1100.” He finished fifth in the Indianapolis 500, although heavy rain delayed the race start for four hours.
Justin Allgaier stepped in as a relief driver during the Coca-Cola 600, where NASCAR ultimately called the race due to weather complications and track drying issues.
This year, Larson is back for another attempt and will start from the 21st position in Indianapolis. During a recent Media Day, he revealed that the buildup to this double has been intense but manageable.
“This year’s been a logistical challenge,” Larson shared. “I went to New York, and after a day of media, it was fun but draining.” He acknowledged the repetitive nature of media interactions but expressed anticipation for the day ahead.
He also noted that the attention surrounding his second attempt feels less overwhelming, allowing him to fly somewhat “under the radar” this time around, which he finds more enjoyable.
Why Larson might leave the Indy 500
This year’s double attempt has added some complexities due to new NASCAR playoff rules. Drivers missing races due to playoff commitments now face some exemptions but lose accumulated points.
This means Larson has to prioritize the Coca-Cola 600, especially if rain delays in Indianapolis disrupt his plans. In such a case, Arrow McLaren has a backup plan involving a former Indianapolis 500 winner, Tony Canaan, who is ready to step in if needed.
