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NASCAR News: Double Duty Contender Kyle Larson Could Potentially Miss the All-Star Weekend at North Wilkesboro

Published 04/28/2024, 9:53 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Never backing down from an opportunity to race, Kyle Larson is all set to attempt the challenging ‘double duty.’ He will be competing in both, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, on the same day, Larson is determined to achieve a feat that only a select few have been able to attain in the motorsports history. However, his determination to race over 1100 miles in a day might compromise his All-Star plans.

Kyle Larson talks about the speed bump in his ambitious plans

Since the revelation of the All-Star schedule, everyone was able to identify the big speed bump in Kyle Larson’s journey to achieve the ambitious challenge. While Larson is all ready for the monumental task of racing in two different races on the same day, May’s busy schedule has cast a shadow on his All-Star qualifying.

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USA Today via Reuters

Reportedly, instead of heading to North Wilkesboro Speedway for NASCAR All-Star race practice and qualification on May 17, Larson will remain in Indianapolis to focus on fine-tuning his skills for the Indy 500. Hence, his participation in the All-Star race isn’t guaranteed. While talking about his plans, the Hendrick Motorsports driver said,

“I won’t be able to practice or qualify and then hopefully I’ll be able to run a heat race. And then yeah, should be able to, you know, hopefully, make it back in time for the race itself. Kind of just don’t really know yet. I think it depends on how the week is going at Indie. But for sure won’t be able to practice…I know that at the All-Star Race.”

Larson’s decision to prioritize Indy 500 preparations underscores his commitment to excelling in both disciplines. With his eyes set on making history, the #5 driver understands the importance of maximizing his time at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Kyle Larson reveals why he wants to spend more time in Indianapolis

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Larson’s entry into the Indianapolis 500 is a collaboration between powerhouse teams McLaren and Hendrick Motorsports. This marks a significant milestone for both organizations, especially for Rick Hendrick as it would mark his first foray into the famed Indy 500.

Revealing why he wants to spend as much time in Indianapolis as possible, Larson said, “Because that’s the first time I’ll be able to get to run for qualifying practice… or the only time, really. So, I haven’t gotten to feel what the boosts and all that feels like or qualifying trims. So, I need to get as much laps in Indy as possible.”

USA Today via Reuters

Furthermore, Larson revealed that the probability of him being able to compete in the All-Star race is completely dependent on his progress in Indianapolis.“I think that all comes into factor… So, the plane will be ready to go I think whenever it’s free for me to leave.”

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The intricate logistics explained by Larson highlight the complexity of competing in two premier racing events on the same day. Following his Indy 500 practice sessions, Larson is scheduled to qualify for the iconic race on May 18 before swiftly transitioning to North Carolina for the NASCAR All-Star race.

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Written by:

Devyani Sharma

540Articles

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Devyani Sharma is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports. With a portfolio of over 500 articles, she is highly regarded for her ability to provide a nuanced and balanced perspective on the sport. With a Master's Degree in English literature, Devyani places great importance on the power of words and their ability to connect with readers.
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Edited by:

Shreya Singh