Kyle Larson’s ambitious plan to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and his regular NASCAR commitments presents a scheduling challenge, particularly with the All-Star Race potentially clashing with qualifying at Indy.
This year, the scheduling of events once again raises the possibility of conflicts, similar to what occurred in 2024. Last year, Larson chose to run the Indy 500 despite a weather delay, which led him to miss the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That decision sparked debate throughout the motorsports world, questioning Larson’s priorities and whether NASCAR should adjust its rules to accommodate drivers attempting the double. In response, NASCAR implemented an off-season rules change addressing participation requirements.
Now in 2025, qualifying for the Indianapolis 500’s pole round begins an hour later than it did the previous year. This change could pose a new conflict for Larson if he advances to the Fast Six round of qualifying, as the timing would overlap with the start of NASCAR’s All-Star Race. The overlap could force him to choose between competing for the pole at Indy or racing for a potential million-dollar prize at the All-Star event.
When asked about the potential decision, Larson made it clear where his priorities would likely lie. “I think that I would miss the Fast 6 and go to the All-Star Race,” he said. “It’s important to race in, it’s a lot of money on the line, so sure it’d be great to, you know, have an opportunity to get the pole, but I’d rather race for a million dollars and start sixth \[at Indy].”
Larson’s statement reflects a calculated approach. While securing pole position at the Indy 500 is prestigious, he values the financial and competitive importance of the All-Star Race more. Still, he acknowledged that the decision ultimately depends on circumstances that haven’t played out yet. “We’ll see. I mean, you never really know how it’s going to go,” Larson said. “Gotta make sure our car’s fast enough to even worry about all that anyways.”
The possibility of Larson running both races continues to be a major talking point within motorsports. It’s a rare challenge that few drivers attempt, and Larson’s commitment to balancing both racing worlds adds intrigue to the month of May. His flexibility and focus on maximizing results in both series reflect not only his talent but also the complexity of modern motorsport scheduling.
Ultimately, the decision may come down to real-time developments during Indy 500 qualifying. Larson will need to weigh his chances at a top grid spot in Indianapolis against the guaranteed high stakes and payout of the NASCAR All-Star Race. As both events approach, all eyes will be on how Larson navigates one of the most demanding schedules in racing.
