Kyle Larson Attempts Memorial Day Double at Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600

Kyle Larson, a 32-year-old American driver competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports, attempted the “Memorial Day Double” on May 26, 2024, racing in the 108th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway later that day.[1][2]

The Double requires completing 1,100 miles across the two events: 500 miles on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis oval in the IndyCar Series and 600 miles on the 1.5-mile Charlotte quad-oval in NASCAR Cup. Larson became the fourth driver to attempt it, following John Andretti (1994), Tony Stewart (2001) and Kurt Busch (2014). Stewart remains the only driver to finish both races, placing sixth at Indy and fourth at Charlotte.[3][4]

At the Indianapolis 500, Larson qualified fifth and started fifth in the No. 17 Arrow McLaren-Chevrolet. A red-flag rain delay lasted more than two hours from lap 102 to 157. Larson pitted for fuel on lap 101 ahead of the stoppage, which positioned him to depart quickly after the race. He finished 18th in the 200-lap event won by Josef Newgarden.[1][5]

Larson traveled approximately 450 miles by helicopter and private jet, arriving at Charlotte Motor Speedway in time to start the Coke 600 from 37th position in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, eight minutes before the green flag.[2][6] The Coke 600, also delayed by rain, saw Larson lead 31 laps before he crashed on lap 166 after rear-ending the slowing No. 11 Toyota of Denny Hamlin. He finished 36th in the race won by Christopher Bell.[2][7]

The attempt highlighted the logistical challenges, including weather disruptions at both venues. Larson later reflected on the endurance required, noting the mental and physical demands of racing premier events in different series.[6][8]

Sources

1. IndyCar Official Results, “2024 Indianapolis 500 Results,” May 26, 2024, https://www.indycar.com/Results/2024/05/26-Indy-500-Mile-Race
2. NASCAR Official Results, “2024 Coca-Cola 600 Results,” May 26, 2024, https://www.nascar.com/results/race-center/2024/NASCAR%20Cup%20Series/Coca-Cola%20600/Charlotte/race-center/5001/
3. Wikipedia, “Memorial Day Double,” accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day_double
4. Indianapolis Motor Speedway, “Indy 500 Historical Results,” accessed October 2024, https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/eventinfo/past-results
5. Associated Press, “Kyle Larson finishes 18th in Indy 500, heads to NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600,” May 26, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/indy-500-larson-nascar-coke-600-double-2024
6. Reuters, “Larson pulls off Indy 500-to-Coke 600 double despite late arrival,” May 27, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/sports/motor-sports/larson-pulls-off-indy-500-coke-600-double-despite-late-arrival-2024-05-27/
7. NASCAR Wire Service, “Larson leads laps before crash in Coke 600,” May 26, 2024, https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/05/26/kyle-larson-coca-cola-600-recap/
8. Hendrick Motorsports, “Larson on the Double experience,” May 28, 2024, https://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/126058/kyle-larson-memorial-day-double-indy-500-coca-cola-600