It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for Hendrick Motorsports' starlet Kyle Larson.
The Cup Series standout has a resume few motorsports can equal up to. What he didn't have, prior to today, was an appearance in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the Indy 500.
Over the course of a few hours, he changed that narrative.
Larson impressed for much of the day at Indianapolis, racing into the top six before a speeding penalty on pit road relegated him to an 18th-place finish.
He was not, however, able to complete the vaunted "Double." Larson saw his day at Charlotte end before it even got started. It wasn't anyone's fault, per se. Rather, Mother Nature left her wretched fingertips on both the Brickyard and Charlotte Motor Speedway, delaying the former's event and halting the latter's at the exact moment she arrived on the scene.
Things were about as unpredictable as could be for Larson, one of motorsports' universal stars. He fell from sixth to 14th after upshifting too much on the race's first restart.
Still, Larson kept his composure. And after a series of wrecks and subsequent cautions, Larson found his way through the mire. It didn't last in the end. But he certainly made quite the impression on open wheels. Luckily for race fans, he seems interested in running it back this time next year, too.
The Sporting News tracked live updates from Larson's attempt at the Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 double. Follow below to see all of Larson's toolkit as he attempted to conquer two of motorsports' greatest challenges.
MORE: Inside the history of Indy 500-NASCAR double attempt
Kyle Larson Indy 500 results
ndy 500 results
Team Penske's Josef Newgarden won the Indy 500 for the second time in his career after passing Pato O'Ward on the final lap. He became the sixth driver to win back-to-back editions of the race.
Position | Driver |
1 | Josef Newgarden |
2 | Pato O'Ward |
3 | Scott Dixon |
4 | Alexander Rossi |
5 | Alex Palou |
6 | Scott McLaughlin |
7 | Kyle Kirkwood |
8 | Santino Ferrucci |
9 | Rinus Veekay |
10 | Conor Daly |
11 | Callum Ilott |
12 | Christian Rasmussen |
13 | Christian Lundgaard |
14 | Takuma Sato |
15 | Graham Rahal |
16 | Sting Ray Robb |
17 | Ed Carpenter |
18 | Kyle Larson |
19 | Romain Grosjean |
20 | Helio Castroneves |
21 | Kyffin Simpson |
22 | Agustin Canapino |
23 | Colton Herta |
24 | Will Power |
25 | Marco Andretti |
26 | Ryan Hunter-Reay |
27 | Felix Rosenqvist |
28 | Linus Lundqvist |
29 | Katherine Legge |
30 | Marcus Armstrong |
31 | Tom Blomqvist |
32 | Marcus Ericsson |
33 | Pietro Fittipaldi |
Kyle Larson Coca-Cola 600 results
Larson didn't end up participating in the Coca-Cola 600. Despite arriving at the track partway through the third stage, he was unable to actually take part in the event; the race was halted and called off early due to inclement weather.
Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR results
Finish | Driver | Car Number | Car Make |
1 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Toyota |
2 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Ford |
3 | William Byron | 24 | Chevrolet |
4 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | Toyota |
5 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Toyota |
6 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Toyota |
7 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Chevrolet |
8 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Chevrolet |
9 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Chevrolet |
10 | Josh Berry | 4 | Ford |
11 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | Toyota |
12 | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 | Toyota |
13 | Justin Allgaier* | 5 | Chevrolet |
14 | Joey Logano | 22 | Ford |
15 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Chevrolet |
16 | Michael McDowell | 34 | Ford |
17 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Ford |
18 | Daniel Hemric | 31 | Ford |
19 | Erik Jones | 43 | Toyota |
20 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Ford |
21 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Chevrolet |
22 | Justin Haley | 51 | Ford |
23 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Ford |
24 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Chevrolet |
25 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Ford |
26 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Ford |
27 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Chevrolet |
28 | Shane Van Gisbergen | 16 | Chevrolet |
29 | Jimmie Johnson | 84 | Toyota |
30 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Toyota |
31 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | Chevrolet |
32 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Ford |
33 | Zane Smith | 71 | Chevrolet |
34 | Kaz Grala | 15 | Ford |
35 | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Chevrolet |
36 | Ty Dillon | 50 | Chevrolet |
37 | BJ McLeod | 66 | Ford |
38 | Noah Gragson | 10 | Ford |
39 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Ford |
40 | JJ Yeley | 44 | Chevrolet |
*Allgaier was Hendrick Motorsports' replacement driver for Larson while he was absent.
Kyle Larson live updates, results, highlights from Indy 500-NASCAR double
(All times Eastern.)
11:30 p.m.: Larson's return is no more! NASCAR calls the race despite desperate attempts to dry the track. Christopher Bell, the race leader when the red flag was waved, has been declared the winner.
10:05 p.m.: One of the cooler images in recent NASCAR history, I'd reckon. Allgaier and Larson got a chance to chop it up while under rain delay:
From one racer to another ... pic.twitter.com/NkFzFOPifT
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 27, 2024
10:00 p.m.: Return of the 'G.'
Nothing but cheers for this star's arrival at @CLTMotorSpdwy. pic.twitter.com/BNYf9cuwy9
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 27, 2024
9:55 p.m.: Here's a closer look at Larson's return to the his typical stock car digs:
Charlotte, @KyleLarsonRacin is here. pic.twitter.com/MPIekMM0Bk
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 27, 2024
9:45 p.m.: As to be expected, Larson will return to the cockpit if the race were to resume. He will, however, drop to the back of the pack due to the driver change.
9:30 p.m.: And...we've hit a delay. Looks like Larson could've waited a little longer to get there, after all. We'll see how long this lasts.
Not positive this rain cell would end the race. Would depend how long it falls. It is raining. pic.twitter.com/GmBvHE3m4G
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 27, 2024
9:25 p.m.: Larson hath returned! The Hendrick Motorsports star is on the track after taking car, then helicopter, then plane, then helicopter from the Brickyard to Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Here was larson coming to pit road. pic.twitter.com/J3qwsgQIRK
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 27, 2024
9:20 p.m.: Allgaier is expected to relinquish control of the No. 5 car at the end of the third stage. Remember folks, there are four stages in tonight's race, not the usual trifecta. Allgaier currently sits in 13th place.
9:10 p.m.: Larson is nearly at Concord. Should be in the area within minutes:
Larson plane should land at Concord in next couple minutes.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 27, 2024
8:45 p.m.: Larson is slated to touch down in Concord, North Carolina around 9:20 p.m. ET.
Larson plane should land at Concord airport at 9:20
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 27, 2024
7:55 p.m.: Off to Charlotte we go...
Larson did his TV interview and had to bolt for Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/ULRbx9qAGk
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
7:50 p.m.: Larson looks prepared to return to the Brickyard this time in 2025, as well.
Tony Kanaan trying to make Kyle Larson feel better after a speeding penalty derails his day. He’ll try again next year. pic.twitter.com/x2Nh6YKpIu
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
7:48 p.m.: Newgarden takes the throne at Indianapolis...again. His second victory at the iconic site in 12 months. As for Larson, he finishes a distant 18th. Solid run, although his chances at the crown were scuppered by a speeding penalty on pit road. All in all, though, the Hendrick Motorsports star showed he can make the grade in the world of open-wheel racing.
7:35 p.m.: After taking to pit road, Larson tumbles down the race standings. 15 laps to go and it’s reigning champion Josef Newgarden atop the totem pole.
7:32 p.m.: Larson currently leads with 18 laps to go. However, there’s a caveat: he hasn’t yet pitted. All the active race leaders are working their way up the ladder after strolling into pit road for their final push.
7:16 p.m.: The restarts are getting more and more intimidating. Feels like we're on the precipice of a major collision. 40 laps to go. The clock is ticking, as well.
7:11 p.m.: Race to the finish now. Will Power's wreck reshuffled the deck entirely. Drivers should be on the same pit strategy. For Larson, that means taking the wave around, returning to the lead lap and seeing what happens from there.
6:58 p.m.: Larson just went a lap down. He won't be winning the 2024 Indy 500.
6:53 p.m.: After climbing into the top-five, Larson finally wobbled; he suffers a drive-through penalty after speeding too fast into pit road. He goes from fifth to P22. Still 60 laps or so to get back into it, however.
Kyle Larson CAUGHT SPEEDING entering pit road.
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 26, 2024
A costly mistake for the #Indy500 rookie.
📺 : NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/MOX7rlYbHV
6:42 p.m.: Strong competition between Larson and Spanish star Alex Palou, who sits in fifth place. At present, it's Palou who is keeping his spot. Track temperature is dropping, however. Driving conditions could make things quite unusual here.
6:28 p.m.: Larson is now up to sixth (!!!) after another steady stream of pit stops in the aftermath of Ryan Hunter Reay's spin out into the infield grass.
6:21 p.m.: Tonight's race at the Brickyard is now official, having just crossed the 100-lap threshold.
6:19 p.m.: Larson supplants Rossi for P8. Among drivers to use the primary pit strategy, Larson sits in the top-five. He's the best-performing rookie, as well. Really solid day at the office for Hendrick Motorsports' crown jewel talent.
6:15 p.m.: The latest restart places Larson in P9. He hasn't been able to climb much higher than that so far. There's still 105 laps to go, however. Plenty of time to make some stuff shake.
6:06 p.m.: CAUTION! Colton Herta, who sat in third-place, went spiraling towards the wall to bring out the canary emblem. Didn't look like he incurred all that much damage. But he hopped out the cockpit, prompting the flatbed truck to remove his chariot. His race is over.
6:05 p.m.: Larson's up to eighth. He's trailing a fellow rookie, Christian Rasmussen, who sits in seventh.
5:54 p.m.: Larson still holding firm in 10th as we reach Lap 70 of tonight's race. We've got 130 laps to go. Robb has returned to the front, outpacing McLaughlin by about half-a-second. However, Robb's team is on a different pit strategy to that of McLaughlin's. He'll have to return to pit road sooner than the Team Penske star.
5:43 p.m.: Larson retains his place in P9 after the latest pit stop cycle. Some serious action took place in front of him, however. Alexander Rossi sped past Scott McLaughlin on pit road to earn the top spot ahead of the next race restart out of Rosenqvist's caution.
5:40 p.m.: CAUTION! It's another Honda that goes swirling. This time, it's Felix Rosenqvist who suffers the fate of six other drivers.
5:38 p.m.: Larson is starting to close the gap. He's 0.2 seconds short of O'Ward as cars begin to steam into pit road.
5:36 p.m.: It seems that pit stops are approaching for those who opted to refuel earlier. Larson is among those set to return to sender sooner rather than alter. We're about two laps away from the point at which drivers would be expected to make their way to pit road (Lap 54).
5:30 p.m.: Larson has climbed all the way up to ninth. However, there's some distance between him and eighth-place Pato O'Ward. There's about a two second difference between the two.
5:16 p.m.: Yet another rookie drops out. This time, it's Linus Lundqvist. Wobbled towards the wall after getting loose on the bottom of the track.
Linus Lundqvist’s day is done after this crash going into turn 1.
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 26, 2024
📺 @nbc & @peacock | #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/m5fCCfoI8J
5:13 p.m.: Larson gains two spots on pit road. Hendrick tends to take care of business when their cars come in during those fleeting intermissions between track action.
5:10 p.m.: Katharine Legge, the only woman in today's field, heads to pit road after her car began release plumes os smoke. She might suffer a similar fate to Armstrong.
5:04 p.m: Helio Castroneves displaces Larson for P13. The four-time Indy 500 champion is quite the person to have in front of you, however. Perhaps Larson, a relative IndyCar upstart, could learn a thing or two from is adversary.
5:01 p.m.: Larson lost his positioning after falling behind his competitors on the latest green flag restart. After starting the day in fifth, he dropped all the way to 14th. Looks like he upshifted too drastically. However, the restart is reportedly under review.
4:59 p.m.: Another rookie — Marcus Armstrong — is knocked out of Sunday's race after his car began spitting gas on pit road. Four drivers have seen their dreams of an Indy 500 title come crashing down. And we haven't even completed a full race lap.
4:47 p.m.: CAUTION! Former Indy 500 champion (and last year's runner-up) Marcus Ericsson collides with rookie Tom Blomqvist after the Englishman lost his grip on the concrete. Not even one lap down and his day is likely over.
Marcus Ericsson is OUT of the #Indy500 on lap one!
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) May 26, 2024
A brutal start for multiple drivers. pic.twitter.com/JQ4XihPAkp
4:45 p.m.: And we're off for the start of the Indianapolis 500! Green flag is waved here at the Brickyard!
4:30 p.m.: Tonight's race at IMS will end at 500 miles or 8:15 p.m., whichever comes first. Worth noting for Larson purposes, if nothing else. For the sake of his Coca-Cola 600 chances, he'll be hoping it's the former.
.@IndyCar says they will run 500 miles, or throw the checkered flag at 8:15 p.m. -- whichever comes first "in agreement with local law enforcement, to ensure race fans are able to leave and return home safely tonight."
— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) May 26, 2024
4:20 p.m.: Numerous Hendrick Motorsports luminaries are on the terraces, including four-time Cup Champion (and racing icon) Jeff Gordon. He's taking it all in.
Jeff Gordon going for the fan shot of this wild scene. #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/3FsWPioPcI
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
4:10 p.m.: Plenty of interest in Larson's attempt at glory within the concourses of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. All eyes are on the No. 17 for this one.
Crowd reaction for Kyle Larson in driver intros. #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/CrAqVTkzP2
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
Check out the Bonkers Level scene around Kyle Larson’s car on the grid. #Indy500 pic.twitter.com/LC8ECcWOzt
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 26, 2024
4 p.m.: Larson is still on pace to finish the Coca-Cola 600, per NBC's broadcast.
3:47 p.m. — Here's the full revised schedule for the Indy 500, including the start time and pre-race ceremonies:
What do you say we do this thing? 😤
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 26, 2024
Pre-Race for the 108th Running of the #Indy500 presented by @GainbridgeLife is coming up next!#ThisIsMay | #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/otcdIVrIme
3:20 p.m. — The Indy 500 has a new start time of 4:44 p.m. ET. Track drying is ongoing, but if all goes well, IMS hopes to begin the race at that time and get it in before more rain arrives later in the evening.
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
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) May 26, 2024
*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
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.
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 26, 2024
📺: #Indy500 on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/em0uURdkkS
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.
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 26, 2024
Spectators are encouraged to follow the instructions of IMS team members. They should… pic.twitter.com/Yk9W2AVOpr
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.
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