For Kyle Larson, The Double is more than just a physical challenge—it’s a chance at redemption after weather derailed his attempt last year. And this time, the stakes are even higher. Just 10 drivers in history have tried this daring feat, and only one has come close to completing it.
No one since Tony Stewart in 2001 has completed both races in full on the same day. The 2025 edition of the double duty isn’t just about endurance; it’s a pivotal moment in Larson’s career.

This time, he is back a little bit wiser, maybe more cautious, but just with as much to prove. The countdown to green is also a countdown to something else, a moment that may never come again. He’s not just racing against competitors, but he’s also racing against time, fate, and the weight of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Because for all the spectacular endurance that will be on display this Sunday, the event could turn into something else entirely.
A gamble. A goodbye. And a kind of day that might put Kyle’s name into motorsport history if everything goes right.

Kyle Larson’s mental edge

In a very recent interview, Claire B. Lang, Larson spoke about how he mentally prepares for a marathon like the Coca-Cola 600.

“It’s just a long race. You try not to ask about the lap you’re on or look at the pylon. I would say maybe the stages probably help break it up enough to make it not seem as long as it is.” For Larson, staying mentally locked in means tuning out distractions.

One of the biggest mental assets that was lost and tapped into is the changing nature of the race itself. As the Coca-Cola 600 transitions from day to night, the track evolves. For a cerebral driver like Larson, that means constantly analyzing grip levels, handling, and tire wear as well.

“I think that it goes through enough changes throughout the run, starting in the sunlight to switching the night, that you can keep focused on that because the track conditions are changing and you’re always trying to get your car a little bit better. The track conditions are changing and you’re always trying to get your car a little bit better,” he goes on to observe.

What makes this weekend unique is the unknown mental toll of doing both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in one day. “I don’t know. I haven’t done it yet,” the number five driver admits. He expects it to be draining, but he’s hoping the travel time between the races will provide a brief mental and physical break. That travel break might not be restful, but it is his only chance to regroup before strapping in again for 600 more miles.

Larson has taken inspiration from other drivers who shared their mental techniques, like Ryan Blaney. He’s aware of the mental hurdles and has prepared accordingly, but there’s still a level of unpredictability that no amount of visualization can overcome.

However, even perfect focus might not be enough; with a certain rule in play and time running out on a key partnership, the cost of failure could echo far beyond Sunday.

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Kyle Larson’s last shot

What adds to the pressure is that the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s partnership with Arrow McLaren is coming to an end after this race. The McLaren racing CEO, Zak Brown, has made it clear that this year is the only window. If Larson does not succeed now, there might not be a next time. It would mark the end of one of the most ambitious cross-series collaborations in recent racing history.

In that context, finishing both races is just about pride and skill. It’s about proving that the project was worth it.

If Larson only runs IndyCar and misses Charlotte, it will leave Hendrick Motorsports without its star driver for one of NASCAR‘s crown jewel events. The impact wouldn’t just be personal, but it would also cost him as a driver who is leading the Driver standings this year.

After last season’s rain delays that caused Larson to miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR had changed its regulations and added a new rule. Now, if a full-time driver misses a race, they are automatically disqualified from the playoffs. No waivers. No exceptions.

Larson’s shot at winning the championship this year could be jeopardized if he misses the green flag in Charlotte even by a minute. So while fans will be watching to see if he can complete 1100 miles that day, Larson’s eyes are on something much bigger. The line between glory and regret has never been thinner. And for Kyle Larson, everything comes down to this one long Sunday.