For any race car driver, the chance to attempt “The Double” — running both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day — is a career-defining opportunity. For Kyle Larson, one of the most talented and versatile drivers of his generation, 2024 was supposed to be that moment. But in a twist of fate that perfectly captured the phrase “you literally cannot make up my luck,” a mix of unpredictable weather and presidential-level security chaos threw a wrench into what should’ve been a motorsports fairytale.
Larson had done the work. He aligned with powerhouse teams — Arrow McLaren for Indy and Hendrick Motorsports for Charlotte — trained hard, tested harder, and built a travel plan timed down to the minute. Everything was ready. Except the one thing no driver can control: Mother Nature.
Rain Delay at Indy: The Domino Falls
The 2024 Indianapolis 500 started late due to a rain delay that pushed back the green flag by several hours. For Larson, who needed to finish the 500, hop into a helicopter, transfer to a private jet, and then fly to Charlotte in time for the Coca-Cola 600, every lost minute was a mounting crisis. As the Indy race stretched further into the afternoon, the clock on his Coca-Cola 600 participation began to run out.
Presidential Flyover: Just My Luck
Just when things couldn’t get more complicated, the news broke that former President Donald Trump would be attending the Coca-Cola 600. For most fans, this was an unexpected surprise. But for anyone dealing with air travel logistics that day — especially a driver trying to pull off The Double — it raised immediate concerns.
Presidential attendance triggers a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), which shuts down airspace within a specified radius. Would Larson’s helicopter be grounded? Would his plane be held on the tarmac while Air Force security circled above? In a situation already teetering due to the weather, the potential for a TFR-induced delay made Larson’s chances look impossibly grim.
In the End: A Gut Punch
Ultimately, Larson never got to start the Coca-Cola 600. After running strong in the 500 (and leading laps in an impressive debut), there simply wasn’t enough time or logistical leeway to get him to Charlotte before the green flag waved. Justin Allgaier had to fill in for Larson in the No. 5 car — a bitter end to what could have been history.
Larson was gracious, saying all the right things, and the racing community rallied behind him. But fans and journalists alike couldn’t help but marvel at how everything seemed to conspire against him. You plan for years, partner with the best, prep for every scenario — and then it rains, and a former president shows up. You can’t script this stuff.
A Story Worth Telling
In racing, luck always plays a part — sometimes for you, sometimes against. For Kyle Larson, 2024’s “Double” attempt became a masterclass in handling the uncontrollable with professionalism and class. But behind that calm exterior, you know the phrase must’ve crossed his mind more than once:
“You literally cannot make up my luck.”
And he’s right. You couldn’t.
