Kyle Larson’s second consecutive attempt at completing the prestigious motorsports feat known as “The Double” ended in disappointment once more. For the second year in a row, the talented driver faced a series of obstacles that prevented him from finishing both legs of the demanding challenge, which includes racing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
In 2024, Larson never even made it to the NASCAR portion of the doubleheader due to severe weather at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which caused delays significant enough to derail his plans. Rain forced the start of the Indy 500 to be pushed back, leaving Larson unable to make it to Charlotte in time for the evening race. Despite the hope and excitement surrounding his 2025 effort, the result was no different—though for an entirely different reason.
This year, Larson was able to start the Indy 500, but his race came to a premature end when he crashed out before the halfway point. Later that same night, in the Coca-Cola 600, Larson’s misfortune continued as he was unable to finish that race as well. What was meant to be a career-defining doubleheader turned into a disappointing outing for the Hendrick Motorsports driver, who is widely regarded as one of the most versatile racers in motorsports.
Weather once again played a disruptive role in 2025. For the second consecutive year, rain delayed the start of the Indianapolis 500, casting immediate doubt on whether Larson would even get the chance to attempt the full double again. However, an interesting behind-the-scenes conversation began to emerge within NASCAR leadership—should the start of the Coca-Cola 600 be pushed back to accommodate Larson?
According to Mike Forde, a NASCAR executive who spoke on the show Hauler Talk, there were preliminary talks about whether some flexibility could be introduced into the NASCAR schedule to support Larson’s historic attempt. Forde noted that while serious plans were never finalized, there was a real discussion forming around the possibility.
“Serious discussions never started happening, [as] once [Kyle Larson] wrecked out, it was clear he was going to be able to make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway in time,” Forde said on the show. “But preliminary discussions did start occurring on if there were any windows we could move back by five, 10 or 15 minutes. So, we were prepared to have the discussions. There was starting to be chatter to what can we do to help accommodate Kyle if absolutely necessary.”
These internal conversations signaled a notable willingness within NASCAR to support drivers attempting unique and ambitious challenges. While there wasn’t an official delay, the fact that leadership was prepared to consider adjusting the start time—even by a small margin—demonstrates a more collaborative approach between motorsports organizations.
The 2025 Coca-Cola 600 marked NASCAR’s debut broadcast on the Prime streaming platform, which added another layer of complexity. A delay in the race start for Larson would have impacted this highly anticipated partnership. Still, it appeared that all parties involved were open to finding a solution that balanced competitive integrity with flexibility for a historic moment.
Ultimately, the question became moot when Larson’s crash in the Indy 500 removed any urgency from the situation. Once it became evident that he would have no issue arriving in Charlotte on time, NASCAR had no need to move its schedule. That said, this situation may lay the groundwork for how the league approaches such scenarios in the future.
Larson’s attempt at “The Double” has captivated fans and industry members alike. The feat remains one of the most demanding in all of motorsports, requiring both exceptional driving talent and logistical precision. Only a handful of drivers have attempted it over the decades, with Tony Stewart being the most notable to complete all 1,100 miles successfully.
For now, it’s uncertain whether Kyle Larson will make another run at “The Double” in future years. After back-to-back disappointments, some may wonder if he’ll be deterred by the sheer difficulty and unpredictability that come with attempting the feat. However, fans know Larson as someone who thrives on challenges—and he has made it clear in the past that he enjoys pushing himself in all disciplines of racing, whether it’s NASCAR, sprint cars, or open-wheel events.
Even though the 2025 attempt ended in frustration, Larson’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Fans and fellow drivers alike have praised his ambition, and his team at Hendrick Motorsports has shown consistent support for his cross-discipline racing ventures. The collaboration between his team, NASCAR, and other motorsport stakeholders signals a growing recognition of how valuable these kinds of efforts are—not just for individual drivers, but for the sport’s wider appeal.
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway from this situation is NASCAR’s evolving attitude toward flexibility. The sport, known for its tightly controlled schedules and broadcast deals, has traditionally shown little room for spontaneous adjustments. But as motorsport continues to grow across platforms and audiences, there’s an increasing need to embrace innovation and unpredictability. Accommodating bold, crossover events like “The Double” may become part of that evolution.
So while Kyle Larson’s 2025 “Double” ended with two DNFs and plenty of disappointment, it also revealed something greater—a shared desire in the motorsports world to make big moments happen, even when the odds are tough. Whether Larson tries again remains to be seen, but he’s already helped spark a meaningful shift in the conversation.
