With Kyle Larson set to run "The Double" on Memorial Day weekend, NASCAR is likely going to make a rule change to make things easier for him.
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The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion will attempt to run both the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26.
Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported that NASCAR will likely change the rule requiring all drivers attend the driver's meeting before the Coca-Cola 600 to accommodate Larson's travel between Indianapolis and Charlotte.
"In the past, drivers doing the double have had to start at the rear," Pockrass mentioned. "Starting spot means more now with stage points."
NASCAR says it likely will not require Kyle Larson to make the drivers meeting for Charlotte (those have become more ceremonial the last couple years). In the past, drivers doing the double have had to start at the rear. Starting spot means more now with stage points.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 23, 2024
This will be Larson's first attempt at racing in the Indianapolis 500. He will also be the first driver to attempt "The Double" since Kurt Busch did so in 2014. Busch finished 6th in his only Indianapolis 500 start. Busch did not finish the Coca-Cola 600 as he blew an engine on lap 271, meaning Busch came up 193.5 miles short of completing all 1,100 miles that day. The only driver to finish all 1,100 miles doing "The Double" was Tony Stewart in 2001 when he finished 6th at Indianapolis and 3rd at Charlotte.
Enabling Larson to start where he qualifies for the 600, he will have a better chance at finishing and competing for the win in both races.
When he announced that he would be competing in the Indianapolis 500, Larson was excited and confident he could do well.
"Competing at the Indianapolis 500 is a dream of mine and something I've wanted to do for a very long time, ..." Larson said. "I'm really looking forward to competing in both and maybe even get a win or two that day."
NASCAR will likely help Kyle Larson in his pursuit off competing in "The Double" by changing the rule and not making him start at the rear of Coca-Cola 600 for missing the driver's meeting beforehand.
