Disappointing Start at the Indianapolis 500
Kyle Larson's ambitious plan to complete the 'Double'—racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—hit a major roadblock on May 25 during the 2025 Indy 500. The day began with uncertainty as rain delayed the start of the race, casting doubt on whether Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, would even get the chance to compete. Despite the weather challenges, the race eventually got underway, with Larson starting from the 19th position on the grid at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Early in the race, Larson managed to avoid most of the chaos that often marks the Indy 500. However, his luck ran out on Lap 91 during a mid-race restart. Running in 18th place, Larson appeared to downshift heading into Turn 2, which unsettled his car. He lost control, spinning across the track and crashing into the outside wall. The incident also involved drivers Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb, ending their races as well. Simpson spun out and came to rest against the outside wall at the exit of Turn 2, while Robb's car struck the tire barriers on the inside of the track, with rainwater splashing over his vehicle.
Cascading Setbacks at Coca-Cola 600
After the crash at Indy, Larson’s day didn’t get any better as he headed to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. His goal of completing 1,100 miles of racing in a single day was already out of reach, but he hoped to salvage something from the NASCAR event. Unfortunately, Larson was caught up in another wreck on Lap 246 of the 600-mile race, compounding the disappointment of an already frustrating day.
Larson’s attempt to run both races for the second consecutive year faced similar challenges to last year, when rain delays also disrupted his plans. This year’s crashes mark a continuation of struggles at Indy for Larson, who also wrecked during an open test in April and again in practice just weeks before the race. Reflecting on the day’s events, it’s clear that mechanical issues and restarts played a significant role in derailing his performance.
Looking Ahead After a Tough Day
The dual crashes at both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 have left Kyle Larson and his team at Hendrick Motorsports and Arrow McLaren reevaluating their approach to future attempts at 'The Double.' While Larson has shown remarkable skill in navigating between NASCAR and IndyCar racing formats, these incidents highlight the immense physical and mental toll of competing in two high-stakes races in one day. Fans and analysts alike are left wondering whether Larson will return for another shot in 2026.
For now, Larson’s focus will likely shift back to his NASCAR commitments as he looks to rebound from what he described as 'a bummer of a day.' The support from his teams remains strong, and with his proven talent—evidenced by his 2021 NASCAR Cup Series championship—there’s no doubt he’ll be back to tackle such challenges. The motorsport community continues to admire his determination to push boundaries in racing, even if this particular endeavor didn’t yield the desired result.