In a highly anticipated event, Kyle Larson set out to conquer the daunting challenge of racing 1,100 miles in a single day, starting with the prestigious Indianapolis 500. Unfortunately, his pursuit was cut short after just 91 laps when he was involved in a crash, ultimately finishing the race in 27th position. Following the incident at Indianapolis, Larson swiftly made his way to the Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600. However, his luck did not improve, as he wrecked shortly after the race reached its halfway point, finishing in 37th place.
After the races, Larson expressed his disappointment, stating, "It was echoes of Indianapolis. I’m just bummed out. I’m just very disappointed." As a driver for Hendrick Motorsports, he became only the fifth racer in history to participate in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. The only driver to successfully complete all 1,100 miles was Tony Stewart back in 2001.
The crash during the Indianapolis 500 occurred while Larson was closely following fellow driver Takuma Sato. Attempting to maneuver to the left, Larson inadvertently spun out, which also resulted in collisions involving drivers Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. "We were just bunched up on the restart, and I was really close to Takuma in front of me," Larson explained. "I got kind of aero-tight behind him, and as I peeked left, the nose grabbed toward the surface, and I spun. I hate that I caused that crash and hate that others got collected in it."
Larson’s day began with its own set of challenges, including stalling his car on pit road, which relegated him to the middle of the pack. Additionally, the start of the race was delayed by 48 minutes due to drizzle, adding to the day’s frustrations. NASCAR regulations stipulate that drivers must start every race to remain eligible for the playoffs, and Larson was uncertain if he would have to retire early. "I don’t know, wasn’t too focused on that," he noted. "When I was sitting there for 45 minutes before the race, it was on my mind. But once we got racing, I wasn’t really worried about that."
Despite his passion for racing, Larson admitted he is uncertain about attempting the double again in the future. "I don't know. It's a large investment, and to have it go not good two years in a row, I just don't think it's really worth it at this point," he reflected. As the current Cup Series points leader, Larson’s focus remains on returning to the track and finding success in the upcoming races.
As Larson looks ahead, he affirmed his belief that "the best therapy is to get back behind the wheel." With a few hours until his next race, he expressed hope, stating, "Once we crank the engines up there, I’ll forget about it." Only time will tell how Larson's racing season unfolds as he navigates the challenges ahead.
