‘Kyle Larson vs. The Double’ is a brand new documentary from Prime Video following Kyle Larson in his quest to finish 1,100 miles of racing on the identical day between the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600.
Two very completely different disciplines, and two historic tracks, separated by a number of states. There is a purpose so few drivers have ever tried it, and just one has managed to run each lap in each.
For many who weren’t following each step of Larson’s journey because it unfolded reside, the documentary opens by ensuring you recognize that issues did not go as deliberate, stating how this was speculated to be seven months of filming that finally lasted over two years.
The documentary pulls no punches, and holds nothing again because it gives a behind-the-scenes take a look at Larson’s prep, in addition to his his angst as issues unraveled.
There was no glossing over the uglier bits, and never simply the place it pertains to the ‘Double’ itself. The documentary takes time to replicate on the 2020 scandal when Larson was caught on a scorching mic saying the n-word whereas iRacing, leading to his suspension from NASCAR and being fired by Chip Ganassi Racing. Even his father spoke on it in the course of the documentary, commenting how disillusioned he was in Kyle for that second.
The human ingredient
Kyle Larson celebrates with sons, Cooper Larson and Owen Larson and daughter Audrey Larson
Picture by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Photos
It additionally made an effort to point out the human behind the helmet, regularly that includes his spouse Katelyn, in addition to their kids Owen, Audrey, and Cooper. At one level, Owen somberly mentions how his dad misses lots of his personal races, and it is one thing Kyle laments. Additionally they showcase a instructing second at an area monitor the place Kyle and Katelyn speak Owen by an on-track setback.
We study among the household historical past behind his center identify ‘Miyata’ and the way Larson’s grandparents had been despatched to internment camps throughout World Battle II.
What the documentary actually wished to get throughout to the viewer was the ‘why’ behind Larson’s Double try, and that began together with his household. “Racing is every little thing I’ve ever identified,” remarked Larson, and so they supplied quite a few movies that completely foreshadowed his future as a racing celebrity. When you get to understand how he thinks by the documentary, you understand there actually wasn’t ever going to be a actuality the place Larson turned down a problem just like the Indy-Charlotte Double.
Showcasing the prep and the way new all of it was to Larson
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren, Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren
Picture by: Penske Leisure
Because the documentary lastly will get into the preparation for his 2024 Indy 500 debut, we see simply how a lot went into it and the sheer quantity of issues he needed to study. For instance, Larson had no concept how a weight jacker labored and was unfamiliar with in-car changes, with 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan proper there guiding him by all of it.
We see Larson on the GM Technical Middle on the sim, and his time on the Arrow McLaren HQ, doing every little thing from pit cease apply to studying the aim of each button and knob on that steering wheel. It is fairly the departure from a NASCAR inventory automobile the place the one button on the wheel is for the radio.
It additionally made clear how unrealistically excessive among the expectations had been for Larson, with some declaring he would possibly win each races.
As soon as on the Brickyard, Larson was asking fixed questions as he labored to grasp the gearing and simply how far the brake pedal travels earlier than there’s any sort of stopping energy on the mighty 2.5-mile oval.
Whereas he stated he isn’t ‘fearful of something’ at one level, it made positive to point out simply how daunting Indianapolis could be. Proper earlier than he was speculated to exit and qualify, Rinus VeeKay slammed the wall.
Throughout Larson’s first Q run, issues had been wanting good, however he abruptly bailed on the ultimate lap on account of some alarm that signaled a possible drawback. There was confusion and frustration from the pit field as they struggled to grasp what (if something) was amiss, and the truth that Larson did not a minimum of cross the end line to finish the run. It was one other studying expertise for the NASCAR Cup champion.
After all, he discovered redemption later within the day and even reached the Prime 12 Shootout. It was neat to see his NASCAR group watching carefully on TV as they ready for the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. Larson has later stated that was the best half for him, as that was new to him.
Climate and waiver fear derails the large day
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Picture by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Photos
The documentary actually makes it so as to really feel the panic and the stress round race day as climate delayed the beginning of the Indy 500. Realizing he was going to overlook the beginning of the Coke 600 in the event that they stayed in Indy, Hendrick’s high brass went back-and-forth over what to do. Again in Charlotte, crew chief Cliff Daniels could be seen speaking to NASCAR officers about how onerous they are going to attempt to get Larson to the monitor for a mid-race swap.
On the grid, Larson appeared wonderful, however as he stated within the voiceover throughout these scenes, he was not. Larson revealed that he was doing his greatest to faux a smile and faux to be comfortable, whereas inside he was a large number, fascinated with the group he was letting down in Charlotte.
The documentary confirmed that his studying curve continued into the race itself, as he questioned the group about restart procedures. However regardless of all that, he rose to the problem and was working inside the highest ten late within the race.
That’s till the dashing penalty on the ultimate pit cease. “Did that simply f*** our race?” requested McLaren boss Zak Brown. Kanaan may solely decrease his head as Larson’s good day acquired ripped away.
Larson typically talked about eager to make everybody round him comfortable and feeling guilt at any time when he let these round him down, and this dashing penalty was no completely different. He turned a ‘spectator’ within the closing laps, driving round 18th simply attempting to not affect the end.
As they rushed to Charlotte after the checkered flag, Jeff Gordon stated how he “came upon Kyle Larson is human in any case.”
Larson continued to berate himself for the error, however it solely made him extra decided to get again behind the wheel of his Cup automobile and end the evening on a excessive word. He arrived simply because the rain that delayed Indy impacted Charlotte, which appeared to be advantageous as he may rapidly get within the automobile as soon as the storms moved out.
This entrance was portrayed as heroic with cheering followers and hugs throughout. However the very subsequent scene is Larson sitting within the pit field as rain poured down and lightning flashed within the background. After an agonizing wait, the race by no means resumed, and Larson failed to finish a single lap of the 600.
You might see simply how soul-crushing it was, and Gordon remarked that he had by no means seen Larson so dejected. What adopted was this intense back-and-forth over the deserves of the NASCAR waiver, and if the Sanctioning Physique ought to deem him ineligible for the championship after failing to begin each race. After a protracted wait, they did.
The showrunner tried their greatest to present him a constructive ending to Half 1 of his Indy 500 journey, displaying how he returned to the speedway later that 12 months to win NASCAR’s Brickyard 400. And whereas it was a big second for him, there was nonetheless this sense of unfinished enterprise.
The second Double try
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Picture by: Penske Leisure
The story was not but over, and if it was a Hollywood script, a grand redemption would have adopted within the 2025 version of the Indy 500, however because the documentary moved nearer to the second ‘Double’ try, there was an ominous vibe.
At this level, you can even inform the documentary was by no means speculated to be a two-year odyssey, because the 2025 try did not get close to as a lot depth as they explored it, however they nonetheless managed to do it justice.
There is a montage of him going by lots of the same prep from the earlier 12 months, his train regiment, and the absurd quantity of journey back-and-forth.
Whereas he hoped for a smoother run in 2025, Larson acquired the alternative expertise, and as Kanaan identified, “joined the membership” as he crashed for the primary time whereas driving an IndyCar. Kanaan additionally warned him that “this place can actually take a giant toll on anybody,” and people phrases had been about to ring very true.
The documentary confirmed how the 2024 effort reshaped some insurance policies, each inside NASCAR as lacking a race will lead to a lack of important playoff factors, but additionally inside the group, as Rick Hendrick made it clear that he can’t miss the 600 once more … even when he was main at Indianapolis with time working out.
However they would not have to fret about that situation until climate determined to plague them once more … which it did.
A nightmare turns into actuality
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Picture by: David Jensen / Getty Photos
He could be seen sitting within the automobile, and clearly can’t imagine this similar nightmare is occurring once more as rain spits down. The Arrow McLaren engineers could be seen debating how a lot information they need to share with him in regards to the climate delay. They noticed that he was getting understandably anxious.
The race ultimately will get underway, however Larson’s second begin within the Indy 500 didn’t final very lap. After stalling within the pits in the course of the first cease, he went into the flawed gear and wrecked on a Lap 92 restart, ending the dream.
“You fool, the primary alternative of the race you simply f*** it up,” stated Larson as he recalled what he informed himself in these moments.
However this time, he would get to begin the 600, and an indignant, upset, and decided Larson was all-in on successful that race. He took the lead early, however simply 43 laps into NASCAR’s longest race, he hit the wall and spun out.
“Get out of my f****** means,” shouted crew chief Cliff Daniels on the Prime digicam operator because the group tried to evaluate the harm. They had been wounded, however soldiered on, solely to be taken out in a separate wreck later within the race when one other automobile spun throughout the monitor. He accomplished simply 595 of the 1,100 miles he hoped to finish on Sunday, ending the day with a double DNF.
Larson’s reflections
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Picture by: Penske Leisure
Forward of the 2024 race, Larson had stated that his greatest concern was failing to complete each races, and in 2025, that concern turned a bitter actuality.
“I can not imagine that it is actual. You are simply hopeful you are going to get up from some dream and also you get to begin the day throughout,” stated Larson. He lamented his failure and dangerous luck, speaking once more about how he simply wished to make the expertise good for these round him. He desperately wished a ‘comfortable ending’ to this story, however destiny had different concepts.
The one constructive Larson took from all of it was that his makes an attempt confirmed simply how ‘robust’ it’s, and the true scope of the problem he was enterprise. He additionally would not go so far as to say the complete expertise was a failure. He prided himself on being one of many few who had the braveness to danger themselves, their popularity (and their sanity) in pursuit of the Indy-Charlotte Double.
Larson mirrored on how he could remorse the errors, however he won’t ever remorse the choice to try the Double. Since then, Larson has dominated out a 3rd try on the Double, however he wish to return to Indianapolis…after his NASCAR profession.
Undoubtedly value watching
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Picture by: Penske Leisure
Whether or not you adopted each second of Larson’s journey or in the event you did not pay any consideration to his Double try, this documentary is value a watch. It is uncooked, it is actual, and it is heart-wrenching at occasions.
It does lose a few of its deeper behind-the-scenes content material within the second Double try as they clearly did not intend for it to be a part of the unique documentary, however it greater than makes up for it with Larson’s candid commentary on what transpired.
As we stated earlier on this piece, the documentary doesn’t shrink back from the extra uncomfortable elements of the Double makes an attempt or Larson’s life, and that basically elevates it. They do attempt to give it a pleasant bow on the finish, displaying Larson’s second Cup title within the end-credits, however the fact is that Larson — whereas nonetheless quick — has not received a Cup race since his 2025 Double try. However hey, possibly that’ll change on this weekend’s 600?
Kyle Larson vs. the Double is on the market to stream on Prime Video as of Thursday, Might 21, and precedes the start of the platform’s five-week run broadcasting Cup races.
Kyle Larson and Tony Kanaan at screening of documentary
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