Deborah Walker
May 06, 2024 - 01:15

Kyle Larson Indy 500 Coke 600 Double Busy May Kansas Speedway

Kyle Larson aims to make history by completing "the double" at Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.

Kyle Larson kicked off a jam-packed month of May by racing his sprint car on a small dirt track near the Missouri River. Despite starting outside the top 10, Larson managed to finish in third place. His goal for the month is to make history by completing "the double" - participating in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, a feat only achieved by Tony Stewart. Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, is excited but not overly anxious about the challenge ahead. He acknowledges the grueling nature of the task but feels prepared after years of anticipation.

While Larson is focused on the upcoming races, including the Kansas Speedway event, he is also looking forward to NASCAR's throwback weekend at Darlington and a sprint car race at Kokomo Speedway. He is set to practice for the Indy 500 with Arrow McLaren, adding to the already busy schedule. Larson's consistency on the track, with a win in Las Vegas and multiple top-five finishes, has helped Hendrick Motorsports establish dominance in the Cup Series alongside Joe Gibbs Racing.

Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing with Michael Jordan, expressed concerns about the state of charter negotiations in NASCAR. He emphasized the importance of securing long-term stability for teams to prevent further closures. Jimmie Johnson, driving for Legacy Motor Club, is aiming for a more consistent performance after a challenging start to the season. Ford, still seeking its first Cup Series win of the season, showed promise at Talladega and Dover with strong finishes by Noah Gragson and Ryan Blaney.

As the drivers gear up for the races ahead, Hamlin remains a favorite at 9-2 odds, followed closely by Larson and William Byron at 5-1. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. signed a multiyear extension with JTG Daugherty Racing, while Corey Heim continues to fill in for Erik Jones, who is recovering from a back injury sustained in a crash at Talladega. The competition is heating up as the drivers prepare to battle it out on the track in the coming weeks.