Rick Hendrick is that Kyle Larson will compete in the Coca-Cola 600 next season, even if that means leaving the Indianapolis 500 early.
Larson will again attempt the Memorial Day Weekend double between the NTT IndyCar Series and NASCAR. He ran the full Indianapolis 500 in May with Arrow McLaren, but did not make it to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600 because of the weather. The same storm cell that delayed the start in Indianapolis then moved to North Carolina and cut NASCAR’s crown jewel event short, denying Larson the chance to get into his Cup car after scrambling to Charlotte from Indianapolis.
NASCAR granted Larason a waiver to remain championship-eligible, but it took over a week for that decision to be announced, and it was a hotly contested topic as to whether Larson deserved his exemption.
“We’re go ing to run the (Coca-Cola) 600,” Hendrick said of 2025. “We will be here for the 600. If that means having to cut the race short in Indy, we will, because my commitment to NASCAR is that we’re in NASCAR, and that’s where we run for the championship.
“So if weather catches us, Tony will get in the car.”
Kanaan can only get in the car if he starts the race. IndyCar does not allow for relief drivers should Larson start the event and need to leave.