If you ask Kyle Larson if he can pull off "The Double," he'll say that, yes, it's happening.
Say Larson is right, he would become the first driver since Tony Stewart (2001) to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. That would mean driving roughly 1,100 miles in two very different types of cars in a span of about 10 hours.
You can't say it hasn't been done before, but you sure as hell say it won't be easy.
Let's take a look the Kyle Larson odds for the Indy 500 and the Coke 600.
Kyle Larson odds for the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600
| Market |  |
|---|---|
| Larson to win Indy 500 | +1800 |
| Larson to win Coca-Cola 600 | +600 |
| Larson to finish Top 3 in Indy 500 | +430 |
| Larson to finish Top 3 in Coca-Cola 600 | +175 |
Last year, when Kyle Larson first attempted this glorious feat, Mother Nature didn't want to let him shape his destiny. As fate would have it, the Indy 500 got delayed.
Even if Larson had Air Force One at his disposal, he wouldn't have made it in time to start the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte.
Luckily for Larson's 2025 chances, The Weather Channel forecasts a "low chance of rain" in Indianapolis. Fingers crossed, the Indy 500 will go off on time and stay green long enough before any inclement weather arrives.
The weather forecast for Charlotte isn't the greatest, though. There's a 25% chance of light rain. It seems to be anyone's guess when that rain hits the area.
So, I ain't gonna claim to be a genius or anything, but if the weather hits at the right time, the rain could help buy Larson some extra time. The only caveat is if the rain delays the Coca-Cola 600 into Monday, like last year. There won't be any "double" to be had in such a scenario.
In terms of betting on Larson in the Indy 500, I think I'll pass. The open-wheel driving experience IndyCar requires, Larson doesn't have.
In qualifying for the Indy 500, he looked shaky. That's not mentioning that his car drove like it was loose. Maybe Team Penske was running interference, but the rational side of me reckons that the Hendrick Motorsports team of IndyCar engineers might have some kinks they need to iron out.
And, if we're being honest, Robby Gordon is the only guy who finished close to the podium when he placed fifth in 1999. Drivers like Larson will take a finish in the Top 20 as a win and call it a day.
Shooting straight with y'all, I love a good story. And I think Larson is going to pull off "The Double." He might not light the world on fire while doing it, but gosh dang it, Bobby, he's gonna do it.
That said, if Larson makes it to Charlotte, things could get interesting in the Coca-Cola 600. He's already won there once in the NextGen car back in 2021. He might not pick up the W this year, but I definitely think he'll be in the running.
Best bet: Kyle Larson to finish Top 3 in Coke 600 (+175 at FanDuel)
