Kyle Larson is aiming to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 next year.
Larson, Hendrick Motorsports and IndyCar’s Arrow McLaren announced Tuesday that he will return to running both races in 2025. Larson attempted to run both the Indy 500 and 600 this season but was only able to compete in the Indy 500 because of thunderstorms. Rain delayed the start of the Indy 500 and forced Larson to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600. And by the time Larson arrived in Charlotte to get in his car for the 600, rain had stopped the race. It never restarted.
Larson became the fifth driver to attempt both races on the same day this year and will be the third to attempt the double multiple times along with Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart. Both John Andretti and Kurt Busch did the double once. Prior to Larson, Busch’s double attempt in 2014 was the last time a driver attempted both races.
“I’m grateful for the second chance because we have unfinished business,” Larson said in a statement. “I really want to complete the 1,100 miles and I think we have a chance to challenge for the win in both events.”
Larson had a fast car at Indy and started fifth. However, a late-race speeding penalty in the pits dropped him to 18th. Months later, he returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway and won the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400. Many of the moves Larson made to maneuver his way through the field were very similar to the way IndyCar drivers try to pass.
The thunderstorms also prompted NASCAR to give Larson an exemption for this season’s playoffs. NASCAR rules state that a driver must attempt to race in every regular-season race to be eligible for the playoffs. With rain threatening the Indianapolis 500 that Sunday morning, Larson and his team made the decision to have him stay at Indy and risk missing the start of the 600.
By not running in the 600-mile race, Larson was unable to participate in the playoffs. However, NASCAR granted Larson an exemption after days of deliberation, and the 2021 Cup Series champion is currently part of the playoff bracket.