Kyle Larson’s Indy 500 Hopes Dashed by Lap 92 Crash

Kyle Larson’s shot at conquering the doubleheader—the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600—ended with a rough afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He’d hoped to join the tiny club of drivers who’ve raced both legendary events on the same day, but a crash on Lap 92 ended that dream early.

Even after the setback, Larson keeps his eyes on the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He’s been running strong there this season, so there’s still a chance for redemption.

Kyle Larson’s Indy 500 Misfortune

Indianapolis wasn’t kind to Kyle Larson. He wanted to become just the fifth driver to run both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in one day, but a crash on Lap 92 changed everything.

The mess involved Sting Ray Robb and Kyffin Simpson too. Larson lost control of his No. 17 Dallara-Chevrolet, backed it into the Turn 2 wall, and that was that. Thankfully, he walked away without any major injuries—always a relief in this sport.

Details of the Crash

The trouble started just after a Lap 91 restart. Larson said he got too close to Takuma Sato, which made his car unstable. “I got like tight behind Takuma. I was really close to him, and as I got loose and kind of got all over the place. So I spun.”

He wound up 27th, out after 91 laps. For the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champ, that’s a tough pill to swallow.

Challenges Leading Up to the Crash

The day was rocky even before the crash. A clutch mistake during a pit stop dropped Larson to the back for a Lap 31 restart.

This was actually his third crash at the Brickyard in the past month. Talk about a frustrating stretch for someone with his experience.

Weather and Race Delays

The weather didn’t help, either. Even though the forecast looked good, a sudden shower pushed the green flag back by almost 45 minutes.

There were several cautions. Scott McLaughlin crashed on the parade laps, and a Lap 4 restart brought out a yellow for Marco Andretti’s wreck. Then rain brought out another caution on Lap 20. The race never really found its rhythm, and driver errors piled up.

Looking Ahead to the Coca-Cola 600

Larson’s not dwelling on Indy. After the crash, a helicopter whisked him to the Indianapolis airport so he’d have plenty of time to get to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600.

The 600 is the longest race on the NASCAR calendar, and Larson has a shot to turn things around there.

Strong Performance at Charlotte

He’s been fast this season—three wins in the first 12 points races. Just two weeks ago, he won at Kansas Speedway, another 1.5-mile track.

Charlotte’s been good to him, and he’s hoping to ride that momentum.

The Quest for the Doubleheader

Pulling off both the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in one day? That’s almost mythical in motorsports. Only four drivers have ever done it.

Larson’s trying to join that club takes guts and a lot of heart. He’s staying focused, and you have to admire the determination. Maybe next time.

Historical Context

The doubleheader stands as a badge of honor in racing. Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, and Kurt Busch are among those who’ve managed it.

It’s a brutal test—physically and mentally—so anyone who pulls it off earns their place in racing history.

Kyle Larson’s crash at the Indy 500 felt like a letdown, honestly. Still, it hasn’t really put a dent in his attitude.

He’s gearing up for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and you can just sense the optimism. Larson’s got his eye on the prize, and his focus is sharp as ever.

He’s still one of the toughest guys out there in racing. If you want the full scoop on what went down and all the hurdles he faced, check out the article on NBC Sports.