Kyle Larson Faces Double Setbacks After Tough Charlotte, Indy Races

Kyle Larson’s quest to finish racing’s tough Memorial Day Weekend “Double” met big setbacks at both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 25. Despite months of planning, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion saw his ambitions derailed by crashes and time.

Larson started his afternoon at Indy, with the Indianapolis 500 green flag delayed by 50 minutes due to rain. He took the start at 1:35 p.m. ET, but his run in the No. 17 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet ended early with a crash at Lap 92.

That moment sent Larson and his team scrambling toward Concord, North Carolina, where he aimed to compete in NASCAR’s longest race, the Coca-Cola 600. Larson arrived at Charlotte around 5:22 p.m., hoping for a fresh start with his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

The race offered brief hope as Larson, starting second, led by Lap 10 and paced the field for 34 of the race’s first 41 laps. However, trouble struck early when Larson brushed the wall, causing right-rear and right-front damage that affected the car’s handling for the next 200 laps.

Crew chief Cliff Daniels and the team worked constantly on repairs, including adjustments to toe and a suspected steering rack issue, but the car still struggled to stay competitive. The day’s trouble multiplied in Stage 3 of the 600-mile race.

On Lap 236, a multi-car incident started with Chase Briscoe colliding with Ryan Blaney, which sent Daniel Suárez spinning into Justin Haley and clipped Larson’s right-rear wheel. That contact destroyed Larson’s suspension and forced him out at 9:29 p.m.

The No. 5 Chevrolet, which had charged from 26th to as high as 17th after previous setbacks, saw its day end short of the finish. After being checked in the infield care center, Larson was clearly frustrated.

He admitted the tight timing between the two races and the obstacles, like rain delays, made the “Double” nearly impossible. Larson said, “Even if I didn’t wreck (at Indy), I don’t think I would have made it here in time and probably would have had to end that race short anyway.” The rain delays at Indy were a key factor.

His efforts marked the second straight year weather affected his quest, with 2024’s attempt also hampered by rain and travel issues. Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren dedicated significant resources to help Larson achieve this rare feat, coordinating flight plans and preparing backup drivers.

The unpredictable schedule of both races added risk at every stage. In 2024, rain at both tracks limited Larson’s time.

In 2025, at least he was able to compete in both events, but the outcomes remained similarly disappointing. Larson’s performance at Charlotte briefly reminded fans why he’s considered one of the best at adapting between open-wheel and stock cars.

Still, his lap-leading start could not overcome the chaos of two crashes in two different racing disciplines hours apart. Despite his disappointment, Larson said he would still like to return to the Indy 500 in the future, though he doubts he’ll attempt the “Double” again anytime soon because of the logistical hurdles.

For now, Larson turns his attention back to the NASCAR Cup Series schedule, with his 2025 Memorial Day weekend showing just how difficult and unpredictable racing’s grueling “Double” can be. Read more on Kyle Larson’s 2025 Memorial Day weekend setbacks.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.