
Few motorsports stars have the resume that Cup Series stalwart Kyle Larson possesses.
Driving the No. 5 for Hendrick Motorsports, Larson has achieved more than your average 31-year old, even by NASCAR standards. He’s already a 25-time race winner, a Cup Series champion and a member of NASCAR’s greatest drivers list.
On Sunday, he’ll look to achieve an even more impressive feat: becoming one of just four drivers to complete the Memorial Day Double.
STREAM: Watch the 2024 Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 live with Fubo (free trial)
Larson is set to compete at both Indiana Motor Speedway for the Indy 500 and Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel races.
John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch are the only drivers to lead their humble steeds through both races on the same day. Only Stewart — a former IndyCar and Cup Series champion — was able to finish both races on the lead lap.
Larson is as formidable as they come in the cockpit of a stock car. Does such skill translate on open wheels? Only time will tell.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Larson’s attempt at the Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 double. Follow below for highlights, live results and more as Larson attempts to claim gold on two of American racing’s greatest sites.
MORE: Inside the history of Indy 500-NASCAR double attempt
Kyle Larson live updates, results, highlights from Indy 500-NASCAR double
(All times Eastern.)
3 p.m. — Larson is planning to stay and run the Indy 500, as Jeff Gluck of The Athletic reports. He will miss the start of the Coca-Cola 600 and will need a playoff waiver from NASCAR to compete in the postseason.
You probably already figured this out, but Kyle Larson will stay and run the #Indy500 today. He will miss the start of the Coke 600 and need a playoff waiver from NASCAR (which he will almost certainly get). Rules say drivers must start every race “unless authorized by NASCAR.”
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
Odds are that Larson wouldn’t run the Indy 500 without knowing he could get the waiver, so NASCAR seems unlikely to bar its points leader from the postseason.
2:24 p.m. — If Larson decides to race in the Indy 500 and can’t make it to the Coca-Cola 600, Justin Allgaier would be his backup driver. Given the rain in Indianapolis, it seems like Allgaier may get a chance to race in Charlotte on Sunday.
A list of backup drivers when a driver has attempted to do the Indy-Charlotte double
*Only once has a backup driver had to start the Coke 600, in 2000 when a three-hour rain delay pushed back the start of the Indy 500 pic.twitter.com/4UgzQfMt5e
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) May 26, 2024
2:04 p.m. — The gates at IMS have reopened as lightning has cleared the area surrounding the track. Track drying will soon begin, and that may put the race on track for a 4 p.m. ET start.
Lightning has cleared the area around the Speedway. Gates have re-opened, and spectators may return to the grandstands. pic.twitter.com/hMqA5cxNMm
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 26, 2024
1:24 p.m. — It’s looking like the rain will be over by 2 p.m. ET. Brian Neudorff — who provides weather forecast analysis on X (formerly Twitter) — estimates the race will start some time between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET.
107pm – per radar have about an hour of light rain (could diminish before) I still think 70-90min of drying I still like 4-430p start for the #Indy500
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) May 26, 2024
If accurate, that would end Larson’s dreams of pulling off the double, as he’d need to leave Indianapolis around 4 p.m. ET to make it to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600.
12:52 p.m. — It’s pouring in Indianapolis. Even if the storm doesn’t last long, the chances of Larson pulling off the double are evaporating, as the track will need time to dry once the rain stops.
#Indy500 pic.twitter.com/eUkhgl7GYX
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
12:40 p.m. — Lightning has officially been detected in the area near Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That will further delay the race and will make it that much harder for Larson to pull off “The Double” on Sunday.
Lightning has been detected in the vicinity of the Speedway. Please exit the grandstands in an orderly fashion and seek shelter. You should implement your personal safety plan. Gate ingress has stopped, but gates will remain open for egress. pic.twitter.com/qMU4lmc2QF
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 26, 2024
12:08 p.m. — It doesn’t sound like Larson is too worried about the delay at the Indy 500. He is planning to race at IMS no matter what, as he told NBC during its pre-race coverage:
“I think our plan is to keep this as the priority,” Larson said. “I would be here racing.”
Larson went on to say that he was “kinda bummed” about the rain though, as he wants it either to wash out the race or not come at all.
“I would say worst-case scenario is happening, which is just a bummer more than anything,” he added. “But yeah, we’ll get to get on track at least in something today, so that’s exciting.”
“I think our plan is to keep this the priority.”@KyleLarsonRacin discusses his plans for The Double if inclement weather affects the start of today’s race.
📺: #Indy500 on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/em0uURdkkS
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
11:52 a.m. — The start of the 2024 Indy 500 has been delayed by lightning in the area. It isn’t yet clear when the race will begin, but Larson’s window to travel from Indianapolis to Charlotte will certainly shrink. It’s just a question of how long the delay will last.
Given the proximity of lightning moving toward the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a decision has been made to pause the pre-race ceremonies and move fans out of the grandstands and Snake Pit.
Spectators are encouraged to follow the instructions of IMS team members. They should… pic.twitter.com/Yk9W2AVOpr
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 26, 2024
11:15 a.m. — Larson’s efforts to complete “The Double” could be hindered by rain at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The track is monitoring a storm cell approaching the track around noon, and that could impact the event’s scheduled 12:45 p.m. ET start time.
The race has not yet been delayed, but if it is, Larson’s window to get from Indianapolis to Charlotte after the Indy 500 would presumably shrink. The good news is that after the noon cell, the heavier rain in Indianapolis is expected to hold off until later in the night, so IMS may be able to get the race in.
Kyle Larson Indy 500 results
Indy 500 results will be posted at the conclusion of Sunday’s race at the Brickyard.
LIVE: Follow Indy 500 leaderboard updates from 2024 race
Kyle Larson Coca-Cola 600 results
Coca-Cola 600 results will be posted at the conclusion of Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
How to watch the Indy 500
- Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
- TV channel: NBC
- Live streams: NBC Sports | Peacock | Fubo
Coverage of the 2024 Indy 500 starts at 11 a.m. ET on NBC. Drivers will be introduced at 11:47 a.m., “God Bless America” will be sung at 12:21 p.m., the national anthem will be sung at 12:24 p.m. and “Back Home Again in Indiana” will be sung at 12:36 p.m. ET. At 12:38 p.m., Roger Penske will give the command to start engines. Seven minutes later, the green flag will be waved to start the race.
Those hoping to watch the race can find it on NBC. It will also be streamed on NBC Sports, Peacock and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
How to watch NASCAR at Charlotte
- Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Fox
- Live streams: Fubo
The broadcast of the 2024 iteration of the Coca-Cola 600 begins at 6:00 p.m. ET on Fox. Mike Joy will be on the call for all the race’s lap-by-lap action. He’ll be joined by former Cup Series stars Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer.
Cable-cutters, do not fear! The race will also be offered on Fubo, which offers a free trial.