Kyle Larson faces tight timeline to race Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600
(NewsNation) — NASCAR superstar Kyle Larson is looking to pull off 'Double Duty,' competing in both the Indy 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday.
Larson told 'Morning in America' he looks forward to the 1,100-mile challenge, also known as 'The Double,' after rain ruined his first attempt at the 'Memorial Day Double' last year.
'Racing IndyCar stuff is not my forte, so learning something that's new to me is a lot of fun, but it's a challenge. Trying to complete all 500 miles there will be fun,' he said. 'Then, jet-setting to Charlotte to run the 600 will be really cool in the NASCAR race. So, it should be a fun day.'
IndyCar hybrid system a new factor in the 109th Indy 500
The Indy 500 is a race held annually at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. The race consists of 200 laps around the 2.5-mile oval track, totaling 500 miles in distance.
In contrast, the Coca-Cola 600 is a NASCAR Cup Series race held annually at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. It consists of 400 laps around the 1.5-mile quad-oval track, totaling 600 miles.
While the tracks and racing styles are different, Larson said the mechanics are similar.
'The speed is probably the biggest thing. In IndyCar, we'll probably get top speeds in the race of 235 or so miles per hour. Then, you know, go to Charlotte in the stock car, and we'll probably, you know, 190 to 195 miles an hour,' he explained.
'I just really look forward to the opportunity and hopefully you're doing a good job,' he added.
Tom Brady to take the ride of his life at Indy 500
A short list of drivers have competed in both races on the same day during Memorial Day weekend.
Robby Gordon attempted 'the Double' five times. He made his first attempt in 1997, followed by attempts in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Tony Steward raced 'the Double' twice in 1999 and 2001. Out of the drivers who have attempted to complete both races, Stewart is the only one to finish both, doing so in a combined 7 hours, 43 minutes and 42 seconds in 2001.
Meanwhile, John Andretti attempted 'the Double' in 1994, and Kurt Busch attempted it in 2014.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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