IMS President Unmasks Kyle Larson’s Upper Hand That Could….

2024 looks like it’s going to be a hectic one for Kyle Larson. With the Cup
Series races packing his weekends from February mid-week, his own High Limit
series demanding a chunk of his attention, and the double-duty challenge of
racing in next year’s Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600, his plate is
overflowing. Although juggling all these might seem like a tightrope walk,
NASCAR insider Doug Boles seemed to be brimming with confidence in Larson’s
capabilities. Boles firmly believes Larson isn’t just participating; he’s got a
real shot at leading the pack in double duty.
To this day, only a handful of drivers have braved the double duty challenge:
John Andretti, Robby Gordon (who took it on five times),Tony Stewart
/ twice, and Kurt Busch
/, the most recent at
Indianapolis in 2014. Busch had a hell of a day: starting 12th, dipping to the
20th, and then jetting to Charlotte with moments to spare. He had to start at
the back of the pack due to missing the crucial pre-race driver’s meeting.
Busch showed promise, climbing as high as the top 15, but an engine failure cut
his race short.

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For now, Tony Stewart holds the record for the best finish so far in double
duty, clinching ninth in the 1999 Indy 500 and fourth in the Coke 600. However,
IMS president Doug Boles is placing his bets on Kyle Larson to potentially
outdo Stewart’s impressive feat. In Boles’ words,“The thing about Kyle is that
he is really smart in that race car. We know everything he’s got, and he has
been successful. So, I really feel like he’s maybe the best prepared other than
Tony Stewart to be competitive in the double and he does have great teammates.
There are a lot of things in his camp that I think give him a really legitimate
chance, certainly to run it to the front. And who knows where you are at the
end of those 500 miles? He has a chance to win it.”

While Kyle Larson is gearing up for this colossal challenge, his proficiency
in sprint and stock cars bodes well for him. But Larson’s focus isn’t just on
the track. Even in the off-season, he’s thinking beyond himself, not only
aiming to uplift underprivileged communities but also providing them an
opportunity to drive and earn in his series. He is also making sure the
participating teams benefit from his initiatives.