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Concord, NC – a day that started with the promise for Kyle Larson, ends with a down. And a bang.
With that, perhaps the end of the double.
Larson became the fifth driver competing in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600, but both of his races ended early after accidents. He suggested that the double may not be worth trying again because of the narrow time window between the events.
Admittedly, Larson’s remarks came moments after the end of a frustrating day, but his point is clear and something drivers at Nascar and Indycar should consider before any driver considers two of the biggest racing in US motorsport on the same day.
In response to a question from NBC Sports over whether his day fueled his desire to do the double weather, or that he was done with it, Larson said:
“I don’t know. It’s so fresh at the moment I don’t really have a good answer for you. The double is just a difficult business. The time window is too tight. Even if I didn’t ruin, I didn’t think I would have made it on time and would probably have to end it anyway.
“So I don’t really think it’s worth it. But I would like to run the Indy 500 again. I just think the double is just logistically too difficult. ‘
The driver of Hendrick Motorsports will not be able to complete 1,100 miles, but will be on his way to Charlotte Motor Speedway early for the Coke 600.
The Indianapolis 500 was scheduled to start at 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, but rain delayed the event 44 minutes to 13:29 hours. The race lasted 2 hours, 57 minutes, 38 seconds and ended at 16:26 o’clock ET.
The Coca-Cola 600 was scheduled to start at 18:27 (the green flag actually blew at 6:30 pm)
Larson crashed before the halfway mark of the Indy 500. His helicopter arrived at Charlotte Motor Speedway at 5:16 pm – nine minutes before the driver’s introductions. Jeff Gordon, vice -chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, said on Saturday that Larson was going to be “here (at Charlotte) for driver introductions at 05:25 (PM et). That’s the call.”
This year was the second year of a two-year agreement that Hendrick Motorsports had with Arrow McLaren for Larson to ride in the Indy 500. There is no agreement for next year.
He tries to become the fifth driver who chases the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Larson’s remarks raise the question of whether it is worth it for someone to try the double in the future if the starting times remain the same.
The effort requires a significant amount of money from sponsors and even with all the publicity, the effort can be undone by the weather. With the new rule of Nascar this year saying if a driver misses a race for something other than injury or age restriction, the only way they can get a play -off match is to lose all their play -offs and any play -offs they earn before the regular season.
Hendrick Motorsports said he would pull Larson of the Indy 500 of this year to get him to Charlotte to start the 600.
Once at Charlotte, things did not do well for Larson.
He hit the wall early as he led and later spun in the first phase.
“Mistakes at my end tonight just walked me behind. I got loose early and hit the wall and just got us behind. I thought our team was doing a good job of getting the car in a better shape to just haunt. “
Larson worked his way to the middle of the parcel, but was collected in an accident with a multi-car that brought the caution on the lap 247 of the 400-Round event.
He could not avoid the car of Daniel Suarez and the damaged end of Larson’s race. After finishing 27th in the Indianapolis 500, Larson placed 37th in the Coca-Cola 600.
“Hate the way the day went,” Larson said. “I wish I could just set back and try again tomorrow, but the reality is that it’s not going to happen. I feel terrible to everyone, especially Rick Hendrick. ‘
