NASCAR Cup Series star Kyle Larson faced criticism after crashing in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 during his 2025 Double attempt, a challenge involving racing both events on the same day. Despite the setbacks, IndyCar driver Conor Daly expressed strong support for Larson’s efforts, acknowledging the difficulty of competing in these two demanding races consecutively.

Details of Kyle Larson’s Challenging Double Attempt

Kyle Larson took on the grueling Double for the second year running, aiming to race both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day. Starting the Indianapolis 500 in the 19th position, Larson held a position in the mid-pack through much of the race. However, on Lap 92 during a restart, he lost control in the first corners, causing a crash that also involved drivers Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb.

Later that day at the Coca-Cola 600, Larson showed promising speed and was among the leaders fighting for position. Unfortunately, he crashed during the early segment of the race, which pushed him to the back of the field. Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports car was later caught up in another accident while battling through the race.

Larson has previously claimed himself as “arguably the best all-around driver,” a statement which sparked debate and criticism following his crashes in the Double. Some racing fans pointed to the wrecks to challenge his bold claim, but the difficulty and risk involved in attempting the Double remain widely acknowledged within the motorsports community.

Conor Daly Recognizes the Immense Challenge of the Double

Conor Daly, competing in IndyCar with Juncos Hollinger Racing, spoke candidly about Larson’s Double attempt on the Speed Street podcast. Daly underscored how intense and unforgiving the Double is, commending Larson’s talent despite the crashes.

“I think there’s so much on the outside that goes through it, I mean, the Double is hard. It really is hard, and I think Kyle still is one of the most talented guys out there and he had a decent car. But again, Indy is so hard, like Indy is difficult. Those restarts are psycho, like he said at the victory banquet last night.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar Driver

“These restarts are absurd. And they are. You got to go wherever you can find a gap. And you know what? The smallest of mistakes happen. And he made a mistake. So again, that will happen. In the most difficult and the fastest motor race, really, that there is in the world. I respect Kyle a lot, and I like Kyle a lot for what he gets to do.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar Driver

Industry Voices Assure Kyle Larson Has Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

Motorsport reporter Bob Pockrass weighed in following Larson’s crashes, emphasizing the rarity and difficulty of completing the full 1,100 miles in the Double. He stated that Larson’s effort deserves respect, regardless of the misfortunes on race day.

“One driver who has done all 1100 miles and that was Tony Stewart in 2001, so Kyle Larson really has nothing to be ashamed about. Everybody knows he’s a great driver.” —Bob Pockrass, Motorsport Reporter

After the race, Larson admitted that the logistics of the Double make it extremely tough to pull off successfully and indicated he is unlikely to attempt the Double again in the near future. Still, he remains open to racing the Indy 500 independently at some point down the line, showing his ongoing ambition to compete at the highest level across racing disciplines.

Despite the crash setbacks and harsh criticism, Conor Daly’s defense of Larson highlights the mental and physical challenges inherent in the Double. Larson’s commitment to taking on such a daunting dual-race challenge continues to demonstrate his dedication to motorsports, while the wider racing community acknowledges the unique difficulties involved. The mixed outcomes from Larson’s 2025 Double attempt are likely to shape how drivers and teams approach this rare feat in future seasons.