Kyle Larson Aims to Join Elite Group After 2024 Setback

Completing ‘The Double’ is an achievement only a few have experienced. This rare feat in American motorsports asks one driver to race in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, covering a total of 1,100 miles.

Both events are held in two different states and feature two distinct race cars. The day starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Indy 500 takes the green flag at 12:45 p.m. ET.

After finishing the grueling 500 miles, the driver must quickly head south to North Carolina for the NASCAR Cup Series’ longest race. The Coke 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway generally wraps up close to 11 p.m.

Only four drivers have run both races on the same day. John Andretti became the first to accomplish this in 1994.

He started the Indy 500 and finished tenth, then took a last-minute flight to Charlotte to begin the Coca-Cola 600 from the back of the field. He continued after an early incident, but mechanical problems forced him to retire after completing just over half the laps.

Next, Robby Gordon tried the Double five times, more than any other driver. Weather often complicated his efforts, but in 2002 he finished both races, with eighth at Indy and 16th at Charlotte.

He came within two laps of covering all 1,100 miles in that attempt. Tony Stewart holds the distinction of being the only driver to complete every lap in both events on the same day.

Stewart raced the Double in 1999 and 2001. In 1999, he was ninth at Indianapolis and fourth at Charlotte.

But in 2001, Stewart finished sixth at Indy and third in the 600, becoming the first and only driver to finish all 600 laps and the full 1,100 miles in one day. Kurt Busch, a former NASCAR champion and now a Hall of Famer, was the last to successfully take on both races in 2014.

After rebounding from a practice crash, Busch finished sixth in the Indy 500 and was named Rookie of the Year. His shot at completing the day ended early when engine problems stopped him after 271 laps in the 600.

For Kyle Larson, the Double has been a goal for years. In 2024, he attempted it but rain had other plans.

Delays at Indianapolis pushed the start time back. After completing his run at Indy, where he finished 18th, he rushed to the Coke 600.

However, the same storm system brought an early end to the NASCAR race. Larson never got behind the wheel at Charlotte after Justin Allgaier started the car.

Because of the rain-shortened race, Larson’s first chance at the Double went unfinished. Larson returns for another attempt, starting 19th in this year’s Indy 500.

If he can run both races this Sunday, he will join Andretti, Gordon, Busch, and Stewart in the small list of those who have attempted both the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day. Only Stewart has truly done the full 1,100 miles.

Larson aims to become just the second. Others have considered attempting the Double in recent years.

Kyle Busch nearly lined up rides for both in 2017 and 2024. Jimmie Johnson ran the Indianapolis 500 in 2022, but he did not take on the Coca-Cola 600 that same day.

Drivers know the challenge is not just about speed, but about fighting weather, fatigue, and racing luck over two of the biggest events in motorsports. The Double remains a unique badge of honor in racing.

Indy and Charlotte each offer fierce competition, and running both in a single day is one of racing’s ultimate tests. Larson will make a second attempt soon, hoping to place his name among the few who have successfully taken on this motorsports challenge and earn a landmark award.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.