Kyle Larson has clarified why fans won’t see him attempt another grueling “Double Duty” run at the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in 2026. He revealed that the decision comes down to something far more personal than just racing logistics.
Kyle Larson Prioritizes Family Over Repeating the Double Duty
Larson chased motorsports history in 2024, attempting the famed “Double Duty” by racing the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Driving for Arrow McLaren in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, Larson showed speed at Indianapolis and drew widespread praise for adapting quickly to IndyCar machinery. However, weather delays ultimately derailed the full double attempt that year, as rain in Indianapolis prevented him from reaching Charlotte before the Coca-Cola 600 was called.
Larson then returned in 2025 with hopes of finishing unfinished business, again committing to the challenge that required him to travel between Indiana and North Carolina within a few hours. While he became just the fifth driver to compete in both races on the same day, crashes in both events prevented him from completing the full 1,100-mile distance.
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So for 2026, rather than adding more to his full-time NASCAR Cup Series schedule, Larson has decided to reduce his racing load slightly.
Speaking on “SPEED”, Larson explained that the decision was less about racing schedules and more about life outside the cockpit. The NASCAR Cup Series champion admitted that years of nonstop racing had begun to cost him important family moments.
“I’m going to run a little bit less–around 25 sprint car races this year,” Larson said. “I say ‘a little bit less,’ but that’s still a lot for most racers. Last year I probably did low 30s, so it’s not like I’m cutting back a ton.”
He explained, “For me, I’m at the point where I’ve been missing a lot of what my kids are doing. I want to be able to go to their races more at Millbridge. A lot of the High Limit stuff is on Wednesdays, and I don’t get to watch Owen, even though it’s basically in my backyard.”
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Despite stepping back a little to spend more time with his family, Larson emphasized he is far from slowing down.
“I want to be there more for that while still racing enough to stay competitive–so when I do race, I feel like I can go win. I’ll still race quite a bit, just a little less, and I think it’ll be a really good balance,” Larson added.
Even without another “Double Duty” attempt, Larson remains one of the most versatile drivers. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion continues to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series while also entering multiple dirt races across the country.
