Kyle Larson’s quest to become the fifth driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day took a major blow Sunday due to a weather delay in Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis 500 was originally scheduled to start at 12:45 PM ET, but was postponed due to storms. The weather passed by mid-afternoon and trucks drying their tracks headed onto the highway in anticipation of a 4:45 PM ET start.
With the Coca-Cola 600 set to start at 6:00 PM ET in Charlotte, Larson had a choice. He said during the rain delay that racing the Indianapolis 500 was the “priority” and reportedly planning to start the race. He is disappointed that the weather did not postpone the Indianapolis 500 until Monday so he could start both races.
“I think our plan is to keep this as a priority,” Larson told the Associated Press. “I think I would race here. But actually I’m disappointed about that in a way. I wanted it to just rain today. Now that the rain is coming, I would prefer it to be a bigger storm and last longer.”
The decision is a high-stakes one for Larson, who is the points leader in the NASCAR Cup standings. Missing the Coca-Cola 600 would mean missing out on all the points he would have otherwise earned during the race. Larson is competing for his second NASCAR Cup title after winning his first in 2021 commonly believed that Larson will be exempt from a rule that requires drivers to start in every race to be eligible for the playoffs.
Four drivers successfully doubled Memorial Day weekend by starting in the Indianapolis 500 and then flying to Charlotte to compete in the Coca-Cola 600. Kurt Bush was the last to compete in both races in 2014. Tony Stewart did it twice in 1999 and 2001. Robby Gordon did it five times (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004).
John Andretti was the first to complete the feat in 1994. The double was made possible when lighting was installed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1992, allowing the race to take place after sunset.
