Kyle Larson is doubling down on “The Double.”
Larson is ready to run each the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, a activity he got down to accomplish final 12 months however by no means had an opportunity to finish after climate disrupted the NASCAR star’s plans.
A 12 months in the past, rain delayed the beginning of the Indianapolis 500, placing Larson properly delayed in his quest. He completed 18th in Indianapolis, and did not make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway till 249 laps had been accomplished. He was set to leap into the No. 5 Chevrolet and take over for substitute driver Justin Allgaier, however lightning and heavy rains compelled NASCAR to name the race.
Larson by no means turned a lap at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Final 12 months wasn’t as enjoyable and thrilling as individuals would possibly suppose,” Larson mentioned. “I used to be tremendous bummed as a result of I knew I wasn’t going to have the ability to race in each. I didn’t get to benefit from the pre-race stuff or something, however hopefully this 12 months it goes higher with the climate and I can simply take pleasure in the entire expertise.”
The forecast for Sunday in each cities appears a bit of extra promising, though there’s nonetheless a small likelihood of rain.
If rain had been to delay the beginning of the Indianapolis 500 once more, Larson might face a tricky resolution. If he does not make it again for the Coca-Cola 600, his playoff probabilities could be in jeopardy. Larson is taken into account one of many favorites to win the Cup Championship, having received three Cup Sequence races this 12 months.
Hendrick Motorsports VP Jeff Gordon mentioned the crew has a “concrete plan” to have Larson in Charlotte in time for driver introductions, about 45 minutes earlier than the race. “He shall be right here (at CMS) by 5:45 p.m.,” Gordon mentioned emphatically.
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Solely a handful of elite drivers have dared to tackle the epic motorsports crossover. Tony Stewart set the usual for “The Double” in 2001 when he completed sixth on the Indy 500 and third on the Coca-Cola 600, changing into the primary driver to ever full all 1,100 miles.
“I like to race,” Larson mentioned of the problem. “I like to compete in huge occasions and I like to attempt new issues to problem myself,” mentioned Larson. “I attempt to keep centered on making this one of the best expertise I can and getting my automotive to drive one of the best it could whereas additionally having fun with the second.”
Different issues to observe on the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night time:
Change in spotters
Christopher Bell and Brad Keselowski may have new spotters on the Coca-Cola 600.
Joe Gibbs Racing mentioned Matt Philpott has changed Stevie Reeves as Bell’s spotter. Reeves had been the spotter for Bell, final week’s All-Star Race winner and the defending Coca-Cola 600 champion, since he made his collection debut in 2020.
“I used to be shocked as properly,” Bell mentioned of Reeves’ resolution to depart the crew. “It was all Stevie’s resolution. He made the choice on his personal to stop.”
Todd Brewer replaces T.J. Majors as Keselowski’s spotter. Majors shall be out for a month resulting from a medical process.
Byron’s extension
William Byron known as it a “reduction” to obtain a four-year contract extension on Friday from Hendrick Motorsports.
The 2-time defending Daytona 500 champion mentioned negotiations had been “amicable” and he anticipated they’d ultimately get executed.
“I undoubtedly wished to be right here and give attention to successful races,” Byron mentioned. “That’s what it’s all about at Hendrick Motorsports and what I need to do. … I felt like Hendrick was all the time my house.”
“We predict it’s a no brainer,” Gordon mentioned. “It’s labored and he has been an amazing match. … We had been going to make it occur a technique or one other.”
Johnson set for milestone
Seven-time Cup Sequence champion and Legacy Motor Membership part-owner Jimmie Johnson will hit a profession milestone on the Charlotte Motor Speedway together with his 700th profession Cup Sequence begin.
For the 49-year-old Johnson, it is a poignant second, returning to the venue the place he started his Cup Sequence journey in 2001. Johnson’s first begin got here on Oct. 7, 2001 at Charlotte. He went on to dominate at Charlotte, successful the Coca-Cola 600 4 occasions (2003, 2004, 2005, 2014), the Financial institution of America 500 4 occasions (2004, 2005, 2009, 2016), and the All-Star Race 4 occasions (2003, 2006, 2012, 2013).
“That is my 700th begin, however let’s be clear — it isn’t my final begin,” Johnson mentioned.
The Coca-Cola 600 grind
The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race on the NASCAR circuit, and it could usually take 5 hours to finish the 400 laps on a 1 1/2-mile observe. Austin Dillon, driver of the No. 3 Chevrolet previously run by Dale Earnhardt, known as it one of the vital grueling races on the NASCAR circuit.
“The observe’s not clean,” mentioned Dillon, who received the race in 2017. “It’s tough, so I believe you prep your seat properly for this race too. I modified that two years in the past after we went to this automotive. I keep in mind the primary time within the Subsequent Gen automotive right here. It was terrible underneath warning, even simply your head rattling round in there. So I attempted to make our foam a bit of totally different round our head relaxation, which helps.”
Salute to service
Charlotte Motor Speedway has an extended custom of honoring the army on Memorial Day weekend as a part of their “Salute to service.” There are flyovers, quite a few army members on web site, the enjoying of “Faucets” and every driver carries the title of a fallen soldier’s title on their racecar.
“To have a reputation on the facet of a race automotive, to share that with their household — it means greater than motorsports,” mentioned AJ Allmendinger, driver of the No. 16 automotive for Kaulig Racing. “I’ll be 100% trustworthy, I get misplaced. You recognize what our job is, you’re on the market to win, and that’s all you give attention to, however there’s a quick second there of all of the pre-race stuff on the (Coca-Cola) 600 the place racing doesn’t imply something.”
Reporting by The Related Press.
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