Kyle Larson was aiming to become the second driver in history to complete both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. But instead, he retired from both races on an annoying double outing.
Larson started the day with his second consecutive appearance in the Indy 500 along with Arrom Claren.
Light rain and drizzle delayed the start of the race, but the weather was cleared in time so that Larson could proceed with plans to complete the double.
Lined up in 19th place on the grid, Larson made some progress towards the front before stalling on pit road and unloading orders.
The 32-year-old was still shooting to finish the race, but on lap 91 he lost the rear end of the car while shifting gears and was sent spinning a rear first into the wall at 2 turns 2.
Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb were also caught up in a brawl and forced to retire from the race.
“We had just been bundled up on the restart and I was close to Takuma (Sato) in front of me, getting an aero-fitting that looked like it was behind him. I peered to my left and my nose grabbed me (towards the surface),” Larson explained.
“I hate that it caused that crash and hate that other people were gathered together on it. I hate that… I put a lot of people in making this effort possible.”
After finishing his Indy 500 outing early, Larson jumped on a private jet to Charlotte to take part in the longest race on the Coca-Cola 600, the NASCAR Cup Series calendar.
Things seemed to be on top when he grabbed the lead of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet on lap 10.
However, only 28 laps later he hit a wall and soon afterwards forced him to spin.
Despite piting a few times for repairs, he was able to return to the lead lap only to end his race when he couldn’t avoid Daniel Suarez’s non-controlled vehicle.
The right side of Larson’s Chevrolet was so damaged he had to head to the pits to retire from the car.
“I don’t like what happens that day,” Larson summed up. “I wish I could press the reset button. I feel it’s awful for everyone, especially for (team owner) Rick Hendrick.”
“I don’t think that was intended.”
It was the first time in two years that Larson tried to quit double work.
Last year he finished 18th in the rainy Indy 500. By the time we arrived in Charlotte, the Cola 600 was already halfway. He jumped into the car and wanted to take over driving duties from Justin Allgeir, but the race was stopped due to bad weather.
The second attempt in 2025 also failed, causing Larson to question his return to the Indy 500 again. His deal with Aroma Claren was only two years.
“Doubles are tough jobs,” he said. “The window of time is too tight.”
“I don’t know (if I’m coming back). It’s a big investment and to make it not good for the second year in a row, I just don’t think it’s really worth it at this point.”
Kurtbusch is the only driver to complete all 1100 miles of races across the Indy and Coca-Cola 600 thanks to a successful attempt in 2001.
