NASCAR’s Kyle Larson will return to the Indianapolis 500 to do double duty in 2025.
The announcement was made Tuesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and included NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick, McLaren Racing CEO Zach Brown and 2021 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Larson.
Larson will return to “The Double” race in 2025, completing the four-car Arrow McLaren lineup at the Indianapolis 500.
“I enjoyed May at Indy and racing with Arrow McLaren, but I was disappointed to miss the Coca-Cola 600 with the No. 5 Hendrickcars.com team,” Larson said. “I’m grateful for second place because it’s unfinished business. ”
I really want to finish the whole 1,100 miles and I think we have a chance to fight for the win in both races.” Larsson, 32, made an impressive debut at “Racing’s Greatest Spectacle” in 2024, earning Rookie of the Year honors after a blistering May.
He set a rookie record at the Indianapolis 500 by posting an average speed of 233.543 mph on lap 1 during a top 12 finish, moving ahead of Firestone in 6th fastest.
California native Alec Grove finished fifth, then crossed the finish line on the 18th day of the rain-delayed race.
The start of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed four hours by rain. Larson failed to start the Coca-Cola 600 in the No. 5 Chevrolet. Justin Allgaier picked up that car and plans to deliver it to Larson after he returns from Indianapolis.
Shortly after Larson entered Charlotte Motor Speedway, it began to rain. It took a long time for NASCAR to call it an official race because it passed the halfway mark. Christopher Bell won.
In 2024 it was called #Hendrick1100. Larson will also attempt to complete 1,100 miles and challenge for two wins in the Marquee race on Memorial Day Sunday.
After the 109th Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he will immediately fly to Charlotte to race his No. 5 Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet in the capital NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
No. 17 Hendrickcars.com Bell McLaren Chevrolet will also be honored by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group and owner of Hendrick Motorsports.
Larson has driven 14 times for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship through 2021.
“Kyle did a great job in May and showed off his race car driving skills.” Hendrick said. From a sponsorship perspective, we’ve seen tremendous growth for Hendrickcars.com and a three-to-one return on investment.
“Everyone involved put in a lot of effort, but we didn’t get a chance to see it (due to bad weather).
“Everyone learned a great deal that we’ll take into next year. Now that we’ve experienced it once, we know what to expect, which can only make us better and more prepared. Zak and the team at Arrow McLaren are tremendous partners, and we’re looking forward to finishing the job together in 2025.”
Larson’s time with Arrow McLaren was impressive and Brown and Hendrick completed a deal to bring him back to Indianapolis in 2025.
“Kyle showed us all what he was capable of this past May, and given a second chance with better weather conditions, I think we’ll all be excited to see him fight for a win at the Indy 500 and then another one in Charlotte,” Brown said. “He is one of the most talented racing drivers out there, and it’s a privilege to do this again with Mr. Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, who are both world-class.
Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, is one of five drivers all-time to attempt “The Double” and will become the third to attempt it multiple times, joining Tony Stewart and Robby Gordon. None has earned a win in either race, and only one has completed all the laps (Stewart in 2001).
Larson, who is regarded as one of the most talented drivers in motorsports, will join Arrow McLaren’s full-time lineup of Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard for the historic
