This Memorial Day Weekend, NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Larson will line up for another attempt at one of the rarest achievements in motorsports. He will participate in two illustrious races, the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600, on the same day. This challenging feat is commonly known as “The Double,” but around here, we prefer the Hendrick 1100.
Two tracks, 1,100 miles, one day. This arduous task is reserved for the world’s most talented and determined drivers. Only a handful have attempted both races, and only one has successfully completed all 1,100 miles. This year, Kyle Larson is rising to the challenge once again. As he seeks to add a new chapter to motorsports history, HendrickCars.com had the privilege of sitting down with Larson to better understand what it will take to conquer this extraordinary challenge.
2024 was Larson’s inaugural attempt at the Hendrick 1100, and he quickly realized that many factors need to align for successful completion, including the weather. On a day when time is of the essence, Mother Nature reared her ugly head in the form of thunderstorms that delayed the start of the Indy 500 by four hours and eliminated his chances of completing the Charlotte race.
Once the green flag finally waved in his IndyCar debut, Larson quickly proved he was not a typical rookie. After qualifying fifth, he consistently laid down fast lap times. Unfortunately, trouble struck in the latter half of the race when a speeding penalty on pit road forced him to settle for an 18th-place finish. Despite the setback, Larson’s performance earned him the race’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Larson’s run at last year’s Indy 500 included its share of difficulties, some of which were out of his control. However, a driver of Larson’s caliber doesn’t dwell. He’s leaving those setbacks in the rearview and entering this year’s attempt with a renewed focus, starting with the racecar itself.
“With how last year went, I want to try to get a comfortable feeling car and get my confidence up,” said Larson. “Hopefully, we can dial in the car a little bit to get some more speed as well as handling and go from there.”
For the second straight year, Larson’s effort is backed by a partnership between two motorsports titans, Hendrick Motorsports and the Arrow McLaren IndyCar team. With two teams, two races, and two cars, elite levels of coordination are crucial. From the No. 17 Chevrolet Indy car in Indianapolis to the No. 5 stock car in Charlotte, the goal remains the same – deliver world-class speed and performance for 1,100 miles.
Optimizing the equipment is just one part of the equation, however. Another test lies in the physical and mental toll that both races take. Completing the Indy 500 is a test of its own, but just hours later, Larson will strap in for the longest and one of the most grueling races on the NASCAR circuit. This begs the question, how physically demanding is the Hendrick 1100, and how does one prepare for that?
Larson answered, “Well, I don’t quite know how demanding it is because I didn’t get to do it all last year. But, you just try to prepare the best you can with things like nutrition and hydration. I feel like I race enough that I’m physically fit to do it. I didn’t get to do it last year, but I felt fresh after the 500 miles. So, hopefully it will be no different this year.”
He’s right. Larson races a lot, and he’s renowned not just for competing but for winning across multiple disciplines. Whether it’s the Cup Series, Xfinity, Trucks, or dirt races, he consistently thrives on different tracks in different types of racecars. It’s this familiarity and comfort with long hours behind the wheel that makes the Hendrick 1100 a natural fit for Larson.
Still, there are clear distinctions between racing an Indy car on a 2.5-mile rectangular oval track and a stock car on a 1.5-mile quad oval. The feel, the speed, the handling; it all changes, and fast. However, Larson’s proven ability to adapt is sure to be an advantage come race day.
“I race enough in the stock car; it’s not anything I have to think about, and I know our car will be good when we get there. You’re obviously going to be sliding around a lot more at Charlotte than Indy, but it’s a race. It takes all the same ingredients to win. You have to execute, have a fast car, good restarts, good pit stops, and limit mistakes.”
Once the helmet is on and the engines fire, maybe it really is just racing, regardless of the car, series, or track. What’s not the same, however, is the plane ride that separates the two races and the 600 miles that still lie ahead. Once the checkered flag waves in Indy, Larson will quickly make his way to a nearby airport for a just-under-two-hour plane ride to Charlotte, where the next leg of his 1,100-mile journey awaits.
The trek from Indianapolis to Charlotte is not a typical flight. It’s an opportunity to reset, refocus, and refuel for one of the toughest tests in NASCAR. There are plenty of ways someone in Larson’s position could approach this transition, but he’s keeping it straightforward.
“I remember from last year, you have a decent amount of time after the race in Indy,” shared Larson. “So, you’re pretty much winding down, and my mind can reset pretty quickly anyways. Just relaxing, getting some food, hydrate, get an IV if needed, and get going for 600 (miles) more.”
Despite Larson’s typical cool and calm approach, there’s no denying the scale of what he’s about to attempt. The Hendrick 1100 goes beyond a driver’s on-track ability. It’s a mental test, a physical strain, and a logistical puzzle. There’s a reason why so few drivers have ever attempted it, let alone in back-to-back years. So, why take it on again? For Larson, it’s about being part of something bigger.
“Just to get to do it and join that list of guys that have. Hopefully, I will do a good enough job to where I can set a new bar or standard for finishes in each race. We’ll see.”
Larson will start 19th in the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 as he begins his bid to capture one of motorsport’s most elusive achievements. It’s no secret that last year’s attempt didn’t go as planned, but Larson is focused on the task ahead, and this time, he’s ready to take it the distance.
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 is set for 12:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 25, airing on FOX. Once the race concludes, attention will turn to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600 at 6 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Keep up with every mile of the Hendrick 1100 journey by following HendrickCars.com (@HendrickCars) and using #Hendrick1100 on social media.
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