Larson uncertain of future attempts at Indy 500 / Coke 600 double

Kyle Larson’s second attempt at the Indianapolis 500/Coca-Cola 600 double ended in disappointment—twice.

Larson crashed on Lap 92 at Indy, spinning in dirty air behind Takuma Sata. Out of the 500 early, Larson had plenty of time to arrive at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the start of the Coke 600, but he slapped the wall during the opening run and damaged the front suspension of his Chevrolet.

Later, on Lap 42, Larson spun through the infield grass, and on Lap 246 of 400, he was collected in a five-car wreck off Turn 4 and eliminated from the race.

As unflappable as Larson appears, he was clearly chagrined by the wreck at Indy. After the accident at Charlotte, he was already evaluating the wisdom of trying to run both races on the same day.

“I don’t know, it’s so fresh right now I don’t really have a good answer for you,” Larson said. “The double is just a tough undertaking. The window of time is too tight. Even if I didn’t wreck, I don’t think I would have made it here on time and probably would have had to end that race short anyways.

“So, I don’t really think it’s worth it. But I would love to run the Indy 500 again. Just doing the double, I think, is just logistically too tough.”

Larson is right. With a 12:45 starting time for the Indy 500, circumstances have to fall into line perfectly for a driver to complete both races, and in Larson’s two attempts, rain worked against him.

When Tony Stewart completed all 1,100 miles in 2001, the Indianapolis 500 started at its traditional time of 11 a.m. A 12:45 p.m. start means weather can’t be a factor at Indy, and nothing is more undependable than spring weather in the Midwest.

In addition, pulling off the double requires an enormous commitment of time, money and personnel on the part of Hendrick Motorsports.

It’s a glamorous undertaking that generates a treasure trove of publicity, but the cost is too high, given the risks inherent in the process.  NASCAR News Wire