In a shocking turn of events, Kyle Larson’s ambitious attempt to conquer “The Double”—racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—ended in heartbreak for the second consecutive year. The NASCAR community is buzzing, and none other than Dale Earnhardt Jr., a respected voice in the sport, has finally spoken out about Larson’s tumultuous Memorial Day Weekend, offering candid insights that have sparked heated discussions among fans and analysts alike.
Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, aimed to join Tony Stewart as the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in a single day. However, his 2025 attempt was derailed by crashes in both races, leaving fans disappointed and Larson questioning his future in this grueling challenge. Earnhardt Jr., speaking on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, didn’t hold back, expressing both admiration for Larson’s tenacity and skepticism about the feasibility of The Double.
“Man, it’s just not worth it,” Earnhardt Jr. said, reflecting on the logistical nightmare that plagued Larson’s effort. A 35-minute rain delay at the Indy 500 tightened an already slim 45-minute window for Larson to travel from Indianapolis to Charlotte. His IndyCar debut ended abruptly on Lap 91 after a crash, and things went from bad to worse at Charlotte. A multi-car incident involving Daniel Suárez on Lap 246 destroyed Larson’s Chevrolet, resulting in a 37th-place finish. “The whole month is a pain in the a— between Indy and NASCAR,” Earnhardt Jr. added, suggesting Larson could have won the Coca-Cola 600 had he focused solely on it.
Earnhardt Jr., who was in the Amazon Prime broadcast booth for the Coca-Cola 600 alongside Steve Letarte and Adam Alexander, witnessed the chaos firsthand. He praised Larson’s commitment, noting his ability to juggle pre-race obligations like photo shoots while preparing for two high-stakes races. Yet, the NASCAR Hall of Famer was blunt about his lack of enthusiasm for a third attempt. “The cool factor of The Double is still there, but from a fan standpoint, I won’t be that excited about an announcement for him to do it again,” he said.
Larson’s day wasn’t without controversy. Social media erupted after he was seen making a gesture toward rival Scott McLaughlin before the Indy 500, which some fans deemed unsportsmanlike, especially after McLaughlin’s crash delayed the race. This added fuel to the narrative that Larson’s focus on The Double may have stretched him too thin, impacting his performance in both series.
As Larson himself admitted, the logistical challenges and crashes have left him uncertain about attempting The Double again. “It’s logistically too tough,” he told The Athletic. Meanwhile, Earnhardt Jr.’s perspective resonates with many NASCAR fans who believe Larson should prioritize the Coca-Cola 600, a crown jewel event. With Ross Chastain celebrating victory in Charlotte, the spotlight remains on Larson to decide whether he’ll chase history again or heed Earnhardt Jr.’s advice and focus on NASCAR glory.
