Kyle Larson, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has expressed feelings of embarrassment regarding his return to the Indianapolis 500. Larson made two attempts at completing “The Double,” racing both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day over the past two years, but the outcomes did not meet expectations. His participation at the 2024 Indy 500 with Arrow McLaren saw him qualify fifth and briefly lead the race, yet weather delays hampered his plan to finish both races in one day, ending in an 18th-place finish.
Following this, Larson shared his frustrations after the recent IndyCar and NASCAR doubleheader weekend at Phoenix, admitting the difficulty of repeating the challenge.
“If the opportunity was there. I think my Double was so bad that I’m too embarrassed to get back in,” Kyle Larson said.
Challenges at Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 Impact Larson’s Attempts
While Larson earned the Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honor in 2024, his efforts to complete the demanding 1,100-mile double remained unsuccessful. In the previous season, he qualified 19th but was involved in a crash around lap 91, which ended his Indy 500 run prematurely. During the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Larson’s race was also compromised when his No. 5 Chevrolet contacted the wall and was caught up in a multi-car accident.
Despite these setbacks, Larson found some redemption at Phoenix Raceway, where he secured a third-place finish behind Christopher Bell and winner Ryan Blaney.
Larson Reflects on Performance and Ambitions Following Phoenix Podium
Starting near the front at Phoenix Raceway, Larson’s Chevrolet No. 5 gradually made progress, spending much of the race in the top 10 before moving into the top five late in the event. The driver acknowledged both the positives and ongoing room for improvement after his third-place finish at the one-mile Arizona oval.
“Was not expecting that with how bad we were, but again, proud of the team, and yeah, just got to get a lot better here. It’s rewarding to run like (expletive) all day and finish third, but I would love to come here and control our own destiny and lead laps, get stage points, all that sort of stuff, and then get a good finish,” Kyle Larson said (via NASCAR.com).
Looking ahead, Larson continues to explore opportunities to compete across both IndyCar and NASCAR series following a tough doubleheader weekend, demonstrating resilience despite challenges encountered during his recent campaigns.
What Lies Ahead for Larson’s Racing Career
Kyle Larson’s struggles to master “The Double” highlight the immense physical and mental demands of competing in two high-profile races on the same day. His candid admission of embarrassment underscores the pressure that comes with such an ambitious goal. As Larson continues to race for Hendrick Motorsports and maintain strong performances, including notable finishes at events like Phoenix, his attempts at overcoming setbacks could shape his future strategies. The racing community will be watching closely to see if Larson returns to tackle the Indy 500 challenges again and redefine his legacy in both series.
Kyle Larson back in INDYCAR? Alex Palou trying NASCAR?
What do you think? pic.twitter.com/PM4HY6tzEP
— Motorsport (@Motorsport) March 10, 2026
