Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup champion, is bidding to develop into simply the fifth driver to race the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the identical day.
Thus far, he has been off to a formidable begin – advancing final Sunday to the Quick Six in Indy 500 qualifying and incomes the fifth beginning spot.
Larson managed to make it to final Sunday evening’s NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway with loads of time to spare and located himself in rivalry for the win earlier than ending fourth.
A bleak forecast
Now comes the laborious half – racing in each marquee occasions on the identical day. However Mom Nature is throwing in a possible roadblock.
The forecast for Sunday at Indianapolis appears to be like bleak, with an 80 p.c probability of rain many of the day (the monitor doesn’t have lights). The Coke 600 at Charlotte has no such points proper now.
An actual risk exists that Larson might certainly nonetheless run each races however on separate days.
Whereas finishing each would nonetheless be a exceptional achievement – whatever the outcomes – it begs the query if the accomplishment would nonetheless maintain identical significance to Larson.
“Nicely, I imply the very first thing is that I’d love to have the ability to full each races, whether or not that’s on separate days, you realize, no matter, I suppose,” Larson, 31, mentioned Thursday. “I imply, it’s ‘the double’ proper? and is it actually ‘the double’ if it’s not on the identical day? I don’t know.
“So yeah, in an ideal world, I’d like to have all of it occur on the identical day to have executed it. I’d for positive, even when I obtained each races in, I’d for positive in all probability be a bit of bit bummed that I wasn’t in a position to do each on the identical day, however I feel I’d be blissful.
“Happiest, although, if I did get to run each and didn’t have to return out of 1 automotive (if he needed to miss one race on account of a delay). We’ll simply see the way it goes. Hopefully the climate finally ends up figuring out for us.”
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren/Rick Hendrick Chevrolet, #98: Marco Andretti, Andretti Herta w/ Marco & Curb-Agajanian Honda, Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti International Honda
Picture by: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Photos
Tony Stewart was most profitable in working “The Double,” being the one driver to have accomplished all 1,100 miles throughout each races. In 2001, he completed sixth in a rain-delayed Indy 500 then ran third within the Coke 600 after ranging from the rear of the sector.
Larson’s seems on monitor to date for a consequence equally – or much more – spectacular.
As Sunday’s day of races approaches, the query what type of “The Double” will Larson’s enterprise take?
“I imply, I feel you may have a look at the forecast and get nervous now,” Larson mentioned. “I don’t know something. I’ve no solutions so far as selections and all that. I don’t suppose anyone actually does at this level.
“It simply in all probability has to return right down to sport time selections and enjoying it by ear. I don’t know. Hopefully the climate gods work out for us, and we will get each races in.”
