Kyle Larson is a NASCAR Cup Series champion with a growing legacy ahead of his age and a dirt-track legend.
But until recently, Larson had not driven an IndyCar.
Sunday, Larson, 31, will make his IndyCar Series debut in the Indianapolis 500 with plans to do the double. If weather permits it, Larson plans to run the 500 then fly to North Carolina to run NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, the longest race of the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, for his day job at Hendrick Motorsports.
11 A.M. SUNDAY UPDATE: Weather has thrown a wrench into Larson’s plans; the Indy 500 start has been delayed due to an impending storm, with a hypothetical start time set for late afternoon barring any other weather interruptions. IndyStar reported Sunday that Larson will stay to run the Indy 500 over the Coca-Cola 600.
The current NASCAR Cup Series points leader qualified in the top 10 for both races, and NASCAR observers know he will factor into any race on a 1.5-mile track. But IndyCar?
Here’s what to know about Larson and his double efforts on Sunday:
STARTING LINEUP:Indy 500: Starting lineup, TV schedule for Sunday’s race
How did Kyle Larson running the Indy 500 come together?
Larson announced his intention to run the 2024 Indianapolis 500 back in Jan. 2023, with HendrickCars.com the confirmed sponsor of an Arrow McLaren entry. From there, Hendrick and McLaren worked almost immediately in sorting out the details.
The 2021 Cup Series champion impressed during the rookie test last October and has been fast throughout the month of May.
Larson will be in an orange and blue McLaren entry with the blue HendrickCars.com scheme splashed among the orange similar to his Cup Series paint scheme. Hendrick Motorsports technical director Brian Campe will be the race strategist, and Larson will have his usual spotter Tyler Monn in his ear. McLaren has prepared the car as one of four entries into this year’s 500.
Kyle Larson’s Indy 500 starting position
Larson will start the Indianapolis 500 in fifth, in the middle of the second row. It will be his first IndyCar Series start.
Kyle Larson’s Coca-Cola 600 starting position
Larson qualified 10th for the Coca-Cola 600. It will be his 345th career Cup Series start and the 15th career Cup start at Charlotte.
What happens for Kyle Larson and the ‘double’ if the Indy 500 is delayed?
We’re finding that out on Sunday. Hendrick Motorsports tweeted Sunday that Larson will run the Indy 500, now scheduled for a 3:45 p.m. CT start.
That will end his chances at the double. The Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled for a 5:22 p.m. CT green flag. Justin Allgaier will run in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in Charlotte.
Allgaier told FOX Sports and The Athletic that Larson will drive the No. 5 car if he returns to Charlotte before the end of the 600 following the completion of the Indy 500.
NASCAR drivers who have attempted the Indianapolis-Charlotte double on Memorial Day weekend
John Andretti (1994)
At Indianapolis: 10th
At Charlotte: 36th
Andretti was the first driver to attempt the double, for A.J. Foyt at Indy and for Billy Hagen at Charlotte. It was Andretti’s first full-time Cup Series season and a struggle in a car with a declining race team. Andretti finished four laps down in 10th in the 500, then completed 220 laps in the 600 before retiring with a crankshaft issue.
Robby Gordon (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004)
At Indianapolis: 29th (1997) | 6th (2000) | 8th (2002) | 22nd (2003) | 19th (2004)
At Charlotte: 41st (1997) | DNS (2000) | 16th (2002) | 12th (2003) | 20th (2004)
Gordon never completed all 600 laps in the day, coming closest in 2002. That day, Gordon finished 8th at Indy in a Team Menard entry, then finished one lap down in 16th for Richard Childress Racing in Charlotte. Otherwise, rain split up his 1997 attempt into three days while forcing him to miss the start of the 2000 Coca-Cola 600 three years.
Tony Stewart (1999, 2001)
At Indianapolis: 9th (1999) | 6th (2001)
At Charlotte: 4th (1999) | 3rd (2001)
Stewart remains the only driver to win an IndyCar and NASCAR Cup Series championship. Stewart was a contender often in his five 500 tries, including both times he attempted the double, but was an instant star in the NASCAR Cup Series when he made the full-time switch in 1999. In 2001, Stewart became the first driver to complete all 600 laps with a sixth-place finish at Indy for Chip Ganassi and a third-place run at Charlotte for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Kurt Busch (2014)
At Indianapolis: 6th (2014)
At Charlotte: 40th (2014)
Busch was steady throughout the 2014 Indy 500, finishing 6th for Andretti Autosport in his IndyCar debut. Early engine issues forced Busch to retire his Stewart-Haas Racing car early in the 600 later in the day. Of those who have attempted the double, Busch’s profile compares most favorably to Larson. Busch, 35 at the time, made his IndyCar debut in a very competitive entry while having a very good Cup ride.
