‘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 totally different disciplines, and two historic tracks, separated by a number of states. There is a motive so few drivers have ever tried it, and just one has managed to run each lap in each.
Commercial
For individuals who weren’t following each step of Larson’s journey because it unfolded reside, the documentary opens by ensuring that issues did not go as deliberate, stating how this was imagined to be seven months of filming that in the end lasted over two years.
The documentary pulls no punches, and holds nothing again because it provides a behind-the-scenes have 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 sizzling 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 throughout the documentary, commenting how disillusioned he was in Kyle for that second.
Commercial
The human elementKyle Larson celebrates with sons, Cooper Larson and Owen Larson and daughter Audrey Larson
Kyle Larson celebrates with sons, Cooper Larson and Owen Larson and daughter Audrey Larson
It additionally made an effort to point out the human behind the helmet, incessantly that includes his spouse Katelyn, in addition to their youngsters 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 educating second at a neighborhood monitor the place Kyle and Katelyn speak Owen by way of an on-track setback.
Commercial
We be taught a few of the household historical past behind his center title ‘Miyata’ and the way Larson’s grandparents had been despatched to internment camps throughout World Warfare II.
What the documentary actually needed to get throughout to the viewer was the ‘why’ behind Larson’s Double try, and that began together with his household. “Racing is every part I’ve ever identified,” remarked Larson, they usually offered quite a few movies that completely foreshadowed his future as a racing celebrity. When you get to know the way he thinks by way of 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 LarsonKyle Larson, Arrow McLaren, Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren, Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren
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 be taught. For instance, Larson had no thought how a weight jacker labored and was unfamiliar with in-car changes, with 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan proper there guiding him by way of all of it.
Commercial
We see Larson on the GM Technical Middle on the sim, and his time on the Arrow McLaren HQ, doing every part from pit cease observe to studying the aim of each button and knob on that steering wheel. It is fairly the departure from a NASCAR inventory automotive the place the one button on the wheel is for the radio.
It additionally made clear how unrealistically excessive a few of 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 form of stopping energy on the mighty 2.5-mile oval.
Commercial
Whereas he stated he is not ‘fearful of something’ at one level, it made certain to point out simply how daunting Indianapolis may be. Proper earlier than he was imagined 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 as a consequence of some alarm that signaled a possible downside. 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 at the very least cross the end line to finish the run. It was one other studying expertise for the NASCAR Cup champion.
In fact, he discovered redemption later within the day and even reached the High 12 Shootout. It was neat to see his NASCAR staff 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.
Commercial
Climate and waiver fear derails the large dayKyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
The documentary actually makes it as a way 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 prime brass went back-and-forth over what to do. Again in Charlotte, crew chief Cliff Daniels may be seen speaking to NASCAR officers about how arduous they may attempt to get Larson to the monitor for a mid-race swap.
Commercial
On the grid, Larson appeared advantageous, however as he stated within the voiceover throughout these scenes, he was not. Larson revealed that he was doing his finest to pretend a smile and faux to be joyful, whereas inside he was a multitude, desirous about the staff he was letting down in Charlotte.
The documentary confirmed that his studying curve continued into the race itself, as he questioned the staff 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 rushing penalty on the ultimate pit cease. “Did that simply f*** our race?” requested McLaren boss Zak Brown. Kanaan might solely decrease his head as Larson’s good day received ripped away.
Commercial
Larson usually talked about eager to make everybody round him joyful and feeling guilt at any time when he let these round him down, and this rushing penalty was no totally different. He grew to become 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 “discovered Kyle Larson is human in spite of everything.”
Larson continued to berate himself for the error, nevertheless it solely made him extra decided to get again behind the wheel of his Cup automotive and end the evening on a excessive be aware. He arrived simply because the rain that delayed Indy impacted Charlotte, which appeared to be advantageous as he might shortly get within the automotive as soon as the storms moved out.
Commercial
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 could possibly 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 an extended wait, they did.
The showrunner tried their finest to present him a constructive ending to Half 1 of his Indy 500 journey, exhibiting how he returned to the speedway later that yr to win NASCAR’s Brickyard 400. And whereas it was a large second for him, there was nonetheless this sense of unfinished enterprise.
Commercial
The second Double attemptKyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
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 imagined 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.
Commercial
There is a montage of him going by way of lots of the same prep from the earlier yr, his train regiment, and the absurd quantity of journey back-and-forth.
Whereas he hoped for a smoother run in 2025, Larson received the other 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 an enormous 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 essential playoff factors, but in addition throughout the staff, 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.
Commercial
However they would not have to fret about that state of affairs until climate determined to plague them once more … which it did.
A nightmare turns into realityKyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
He may be seen sitting within the automotive, and clearly can’t imagine this identical nightmare is going on once more as rain spits down. The Arrow McLaren engineers may 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.
Commercial
The race finally will get underway, however Larson’s second begin within the Indy 500 didn’t final very lap. After stalling within the pits throughout the first cease, he went into the incorrect 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 instructed 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 profitable that race. He took the lead early, however simply 43 laps into NASCAR’s longest race, he hit the wall and spun out.
Commercial
“Get out of my f****** means,” shouted crew chief Cliff Daniels on the Prime digicam operator because the staff 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 automotive 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 reflectionsKyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Forward of the 2024 race, Larson had stated that his greatest concern was failing to complete each races, and in 2025, that concern grew to become a bitter actuality.
Commercial
“I am unable to 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 unhealthy luck, speaking once more about how he simply needed to make the expertise good for these round him. He desperately needed a ‘joyful 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 ‘powerful’ it’s, and the true scope of the problem he was endeavor. He additionally would not go so far as to say your entire expertise was a failure. He prided himself on being one of many few who had the braveness to danger themselves, their fame (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.
Commercial
Positively value watchingKyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
Kyle Larson, Arrow McLaren
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 instances.
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, nevertheless it greater than makes up for it with Larson’s candid commentary on what transpired.
Commercial
As we stated earlier on this piece, the documentary doesn’t draw back from the extra uncomfortable components of the Double makes an attempt or Larson’s life, and that actually elevates it. They do attempt to give it a pleasant bow on the finish, exhibiting Larson’s second Cup title within the end-credits, however the fact is that Larson — whereas nonetheless quick — has not gained a Cup race since his 2025 Double try. However hey, perhaps that’ll change on this weekend’s 600?
Kyle Larson vs. the Double is offered to stream on Prime Video as of Thursday, Could 21, and precedes the start of the platform’s five-week run broadcasting Cup races.
Kyle Larson and Tony Kanaan at screening of documentary
Kyle Larson and Tony Kanaan at screening of documentary
Â
To learn extra Motorsport.com articles .
