Sunday is shaping up to be a busy day for motorsports fans. Between the Indy 500 in Indianapolis and the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, there is plenty to keep fanatics of the race track busy.
With that said, no one is shaping up to have as eventful of a day as Kyle Larson. The NASCAR driver is attempting to do the improbable this weekend — take part in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600.
Larson is set to be in Indianapolis for the F1 race to start the day. Once he finishes, the plan is for him to race (pun intended) from Indiana to North Carolina, where he will compete at Charlotte at the NASCAR Cup series event. He is hoping to become the second driver since Tony Stewart in 2001 to finish on the lead lap of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
If it seems like a lot of moving parts, you’d be right. It’s going to take a full effort to get Larson from point A to point B on Sunday if he hopes to be on the track for both races.
Here is everything you need to know for Larson’s quest to compete at the Indy 500 and in Charlotte on Sunday.
MORE: Inside the history of Indy 500-NASCAR double attempts
Indianapolis to Charlotte flight time
A non-stop flight on a commercial airline from Indianapolis to Charlotte takes about one hour and eight minutes to complete, according to Travelmath.
A typical Indy 500 race takes 2-3 hours to complete. After the race concludes, Larson is scheduled to take a helicopter from Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the airport and fly to Charlotte on a charter jet.
Regardless of the weather forecast’s impact on this year’s race (more on that below), Larson could leave the Indy 500 around 4 p.m. ET and still hope to make NASCAR’s race in Charlotte comfortably before its 6 p.m. ET start.
The expected presence of former president Donald Trump at the Coca-Cola 600 could further complicate travel logistics for Larson, with heightened security expected around the Concord, N.C. track and airport (more on that below, too).
What time does Indy 500 start?
As is tradition in Indianapolis, the festivities will get underway at 11 a.m. ET. The start of the actual race, better known as the green flag, is set to begin at 12:45 p.m. ET.
What time does Coca-Cola 600 start?
The racing in Charlotte will get underway at 6 p.m. ET for the Coca-Cola 600.
That means if it does take the full three hours to complete the Indy 500, Larson will have roughly two hours to get from Indianapolis to Charlotte.
How long is the Indy 500?
The Indy 500 is a full, 200-lap race. It is expected to take roughly three hours to complete.
With that said, there is potentially bad weather in the forecast that may impact the race. The race becomes official after 101 laps, so 90 minutes may be all that’s needed for the spectacle.
MORE: Who will win the Indy 500? Expert picks, predictions for F1 race
How long is the Coca-Cola 600?
The Coca-Cola 600 is one of the longest races on the NASCAR Cup series. The event is 400 laps, and takes roughly four hours to complete.
Indy 500 weather forecast
There is a scenario in which Mother Nature helps out Larson on his quest to compete at both races.
The forecast in Indianapolis does not look good for Sunday’s Indy 500. During the day, there is a projected 80% chance of rain, with thunderstorms considered “likely,” according to Weather.com. There is the potential for severe thunderstorms and winds up to 20 mph.
Donald Trump at NASCAR
Donald Trump is reportedly going to be at Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, according to WCNC, and could create congestion near the track impacting Larson’s arrival.
It’s unclear the exact reason why the former President will be at the event. He could be making a speech, or could be going simply as a spectator of the race. Trump is one of the Republican nominees for president in 2024, and is set to debate current president Joe Biden in November.
A track spokesperson told WCNC that this will be the first time a president of the United States attends a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
