Trying to finish 1,100 miles in a single day of racing is sort of the problem (except you are an endurance racing driver), but it surely’s much more daunting whenever you’re doing it in two wildly completely different race vehicles and at two race tracks which are a number of states aside.
That’s what it means when a driver like Kyle Larson says they’re trying ‘The Double.’ They begin their day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500 round 12:45pm EST, after which finish their day round 11pm EST at Charlotte Motor Speedway when NASCAR’s longest race — the Coca-Cola 600 — reaches its conclusion.
Solely 4 drivers have run each races on the identical and just one — three-time NASCAR Cup Collection champion Tony Stewart — has truly managed to finish all 1,100 miles.
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Photograph by: Penske Leisure
Larson tried to hitch this group in 2024, however Mom Nature had different plans. Rain delayed the beginning of the Indy 500 and that very same storm ended up following Larson to North Carolina, ending the Coke 600 earlier than he might take over from Justin Allgaier mid-race.
Larson could have a second likelihood on Sunday, beginning nineteenth within the Indy 500. Ought to he full the Double, he’ll be a part of John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Kurt Busch, and Stewart as the one drivers to have run each races on the identical day. And should you’re questioning how that went for them, then you have got come to the best place.
John Andretti — The very first driver to perform ‘The Double’
John Andretti (Photograph from early 2000s, not throughout 1994 ‘Double’ try)
Photograph by: Richard Sloop
Earlier than Andretti, a number of NASCAR drivers ventured to Indianapolis and easily selected to skip the Charlotte race. Another ‘Double’ hopefuls did not qualify or Mom Nature ruined their plans, too. So, it wasn’t till 1994 when a driver lastly managed to run each races on the identical day, giving John the honour of being the very first.
He was a full-time NASCAR driver on the time, however he did have open-wheel expertise and completed a strong tenth within the Indy 500. He made it to Charlotte simply in time for the beginning, however was pressured to start the race from the rear of the sphere. He crashed early within the 600, however soldiered on till the automotive lastly gave up after 220 of 400 laps.
Robby Gordon — The motive force with extra makes an attempt than anybody else
Robby Gordon
Robby made 5 runs on the Indy-Charlotte Double, which is greater than another driver. His first try got here in 1997, however inclement climate pushed the Indy 500 to Monday and Tuesday. He tried once more in 2000, however missed the beginning of the 600 as a result of climate. P.J. Jones began the occasion and bought credit score for the consequence, however Gordon did take over in the midst of the race.
His first profitable try got here in 2002, ending eighth within the Indy 500 and sixteenth within the Coke 600. He completed one lap down at Charlotte, coming 1.5 miles shy of finishing the total 1,100 miles of racing. He efficiently ran the Double once more in 2003, though rain ended the 600 early. His last try got here in 2004, however climate interfered as soon as once more. He needed to go away mid-race so as to make the beginning of the 600. Jaques Lazier completed the five hundred for Gordon, however since he began the race, he was credited with the consequence.
Tony Stewart — The one driver to finish each lap in each occasions
Tony Stewart
Photograph by: indyracing.com photograph by Ron McQueeney
Probably the most profitable ‘Double’ try belongs to Stewart. He ran each occasions in 1999 and 2001. In his first try, Stewart completed ninth within the Indy 500 and fourth within the Coke 600. He was 4 laps down within the 500, which prevented him from finishing all 1,100 miles.
2001 was the ultimate time ‘Smoke’ ran the Indy 500, once more aiming to lastly full all 1,100 miles between Indianapolis and Charlotte. Driving for Chip Ganassi Racing at Indianapolis, he completed sixth after which went on to complete third with Joe Gibbs Racing at Charlotte. It stays the most effective displaying by any driver who has run these iconic races on the identical day. In doing so, Stewart is the one driver to finish all 600 laps and 1,100 miles of competitors.
Kurt Busch — The final driver to efficiently run each races on the identical day
Kurt Busch arrives in Charlotte
Photograph by: Walter G. Arce, Sr. KBI/ActionSportsInc.com
The Double hasn’t been efficiently accomplished since 2014 with Kurt Busch came to visit from NASCAR. After a crash in follow, the newly introduced NASCAR Corridor of Famer rebounded in an enormous means. He completed sixth within the Indy 500, incomes Rookie of the 12 months honors. Sadly, the 600 didn’t go in addition to a large engine failure pressured him out of the race after 271 of 400 laps.
Since then, a number of drivers have expressed curiosity in trying the Double, together with Kurt’s brother Kyle, who got here near securing rides in each the 2017 and 2024 Indy 500s. Seven-time NASCAR Cup Collection champion Jimmie Johnson ran the 2022 Indy 500 however he didn’t try the 2022 Coke 600.
On this article
Nick DeGroot
IndyCar
NASCAR Cup
Kyle Larson
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