Tag: Coca-Cola 600

NASCAR grants Larson’s playoff waiver

Kyle Larson has been granted a waiver by NASCAR to remain eligible for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs after not starting the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “It was in uncharted waters,” said NASCAR senior vice president of competition …

Kyle Larson has been granted a waiver by NASCAR to remain eligible for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs after not starting the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“It was in uncharted waters,” said NASCAR senior vice president of competition Elton Sawyer. “The decision-making process, it took the time it did to make sure that we got this right. The reason the waiver is in place, or one of the reasons it’s in place, is to give our fans some certainty that if they buy a ticket to come and watch our athletes and our stars perform, that they’re going to see them.

“The prior precedent that was set with allowing waivers, those were quick decisions. This one was unique in the fact that obviously Kyle raced with another series and wasn’t there to start our event… I commend our process, proud of our team and everyone had a view on it, and the ultimate decision that we wanted to get to was the right decision. We feel like we got there.”

Hendrick Motorsports requested the waiver after Larson was kept in Indianapolis to compete in the 108th Indianapolis 500. The start of the race (May 26) was delayed by 4 hours due to inclement weather. Larson qualified fifth (in the middle of the second row) in his Arrow McLaren machine and finished 18th after a late-race speeding penalty.

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Justin Allgaier started the Coca-Cola 600 in Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and because of the driver change, Allgaier dropped to the rear of the 40-car field for the green flag.

The plan was for Larson to complete the Indianapolis 500 and take over his Cup Series car after arriving at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Larson arrived on pit road in Concord at approximately 9:30 p.m. ET and was preparing to get into the car when the race was red-flagged because of rain and then went into a lightning hold.

A severe thunderstorm then moved into the area, and NASCAR deemed the race official nearly two hours later due to the weather and high humidity hampering track drying efforts that would likely have pushed the resumption of the event past 1 a.m. ET.

Allgaier ran the race’s 249 laps and finished 13th. He will be the driver of record for the Coca-Cola 600, with Larson not earning points for the event because he did not start the car.

“We went into that weekend all communication with (Hendrick Motorsports) was (NASCAR) was their priority,” Sawyer said. “That was their day job. And unfortunately, the weather situation threw them a curveball, threw the industry a curveball and something that we had to deal with. But ultimately, the effort that they made, without the weather, they’re going to be there. We feel confident that was going to happen.

“To not have Kyle Larson in our playoff and give our fans the opportunity to see him race for a championship and compete against some of the best drivers in the world, at the end of the day, didn’t feel like that’s the right decision for us to make. We didn’t. We felt like we got to the right spot.”

The waiver was necessary for Larson to remain eligible for the postseason because the NASCAR Rule Book states, “Unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR, driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must start all Championship Events of the current season to be eligible for The Playoffs.”

This story has been updated to include quotes from NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer.

Kyle Larson posts a heartbreaking message after missing out on the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 Double

This was such a bummer.

Kyle Larson tried, but Mother Nature wouldn’t cooperate.

The NASCAR star attempted to pull off two races in one day — he was a rookie in the Indy 500 and finished 18th. Then, he flew to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 for an attempt at The Double, but because the weather in Indianapolis delayed the start of that race, he didn’t get into Charlotte until the middle of the NASCAR race.

Then, weather stopped that race, giving Larson a chance to replace Justin Allgaier… but it was eventually called due to rain.

Larson posted on X (formerly Twitter) and sounded so heartbroken. You’ve got to feel for him:

A portion of that statement:

So much time, money, and effort went into this experience and it just kills me to have it all end the way it did. I feel like I let so many people down. We knew all along weather could throw a wrench into things but seeing it come to reality is a horrible feeling.

Up until Sunday it was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I can’t describe how appreciative I am of everyone’s support of me to live out a dream. I hope it’s not the last opportunity I have to try the Double but if it is I guess it was memorable.

Thank you to everyone at Arrow McLaren, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and all the competitors there for making me feel welcomed.

Ready to get back on track now and get refocused on winning a 2nd championship for our team.

Lamar Jackson visits pit row at NASCAR Coca-Cola 600

Lamar Jackson showed up to the Coca-Cola 600 in support of NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, the winner of last year’s edition of this race.

It’s the Sunday before Memorial Day, which is basically the Super Bowl for auto racing fans. It’s a triple header of big time races, starting in the morning with the Monaco Grand Prix (formula one).

Midday brings the Indianapolis 500 (open wheel racing) and in the evening the Coca-Cola 600 (NASCAR) commences in Charlotte.

Lamar Jackson obviously has all the money and clout that he needs to attend any of the three races, in V.I.P. style, but he picked the NASCAR event.

He showed up to support NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney (the winner of last year’s edition of this race), and hang out in his pits. You can see Jackson sporting the Blaney 12 shirt in the video below:

Towards the end of the video, you can see the reigning NFL MVP interact with Joshua Appleby, who was a punter at Louisville during Jackson’s time at the program.

Appleby, who we’re not really sure Jackson actually recognizes and/or remembers in this clip, is now part of the pit crew at Trackhouse Racing.

Lamar certainly seems to enjoy racing, in all its forms, as he also attended the Preakness Stakes horse race in Baltimore last weekend.

The Coca-Cola 600 was won by Christopher Bell. Blaney crashed out early and did not finish the race.

Foiled double ‘one of the most disappointing’ days for Larson

Kyle Larson called Sunday “one of the most disappointing” days he’s ever experienced after not being able to complete the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double. “What I thought could be one of the best days of my life quickly turned into one of …

Kyle Larson called Sunday “one of the most disappointing” days he’s ever experienced after not being able to complete the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double.

“What I thought could be one of the best days of my life quickly turned into one of the most disappointing ones I’ve ever experienced,” Larson posted Monday morning on X. “I hate it for Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon, HAG, Hendrick Motorsports, everyone part of the 5 team, everyone on the 17 IndyCar for speeding, my family, my friends, my fans, and the documentary crew that has followed along the journey the past eight months.

“So much time, money, and effort went into this experience, and it just kills me to have it all end the way it did. I feel like I let so many people down.”

Larson looked set for a strong finish in his first Indy 500, until a pitman speeding penalty. Jake Galstad/Motorsport Images

Larson qualified fifth at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Arrow McLaren and finished 18th after a speeding penalty. Because the start of the race was delayed by four hours because of rain, the decision was made for Larson to compete at Indianapolis and then take over his NASCAR Cup Series car on arrival at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

At approximately 9:30pm ET, Larson arrived in his NASCAR pit stall and began preparing to get into his Chevrolet. Simultaneously, the race — which had already reached the point where it could be declared official — went into a weather delay and never restarted. Justin Allgaier ran the 249 laps that were completed of the Coca-Cola 600 in Larson’s No. 5.

“We knew all along weather could throw a wrench into things, but seeing it come to reality is a horrible feeling,” Larson’s post continued. “Up until Sunday, it was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. I can’t describe how appreciative I am of everyone’s support of me to live out a dream. I hope it’s not the last opportunity I have to try the Double, but if it is, I guess it was memorable.

“Thank you to everyone at Arrow McLaren, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and all the competitors there for making me feel welcome. (I’m) ready to get back on track now and get refocused on winning a second championship for our team.”

Because he did not start the Coca-Cola 600, Larson will need a waiver from NASCAR to remain eligible for the postseason. NASCAR and Hendrick Motorsports have yet to announce if the request has been made or granted.

Early end to Coca-Cola 600 especially frustrating for Keselowski

Everyone wanted the Coca-Cola 600 to go the distance, but no one more than Brad Keselowski. “It’s pretty disappointing,” Keselowski said of his second-place finish in the weather-shortened race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I felt like we had a car …

Everyone wanted the Coca-Cola 600 to go the distance, but no one more than Brad Keselowski.

“It’s pretty disappointing,” Keselowski said of his second-place finish in the weather-shortened race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I felt like we had a car to win the race. We kind of ran down the 20 car [Christopher Bell] twice and just didn’t get to see it play out. So, it kind of slipped through our fingers there. I would have liked to have just had more laps and ran the Coke 600.”

Keselowski was scored second to Bell when the final caution flew on lap 245 for rain. It quickly escalated to a red flag for lightning and then a severe thunderstorm moved into the area. NASCAR declared the race official about two hours later.

“But all in all, I’m really happy with our performance,” Keselowski said. “The car was really fast. Our pit stops were phenomenal. We just didn’t get to see it through. I’m bummed for our team. I’m bummed for everybody, but the weather is what the weather is.”

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The RFK Racing driver started the night in 30th position. But by the end of the first stage, through speed and pit cycles, Keselowski was eighth. He was fifth at the end of the second stage.

As weather approached the area, the third stage came down to what ended up being the final pit stop under a lap 229 caution. Keselowski came off pit road second to Bell and restarted on the outside of the front row. But Bell dispatched the field and Keselowski missed his opportunity to be in the right place at the right time when weather ended the night.

Keselowski thought he had something for Bell…right before the conditions brought an end to the race. Motorsport Images

“I think everybody knew the situation,” Keselowski said. “I can’t claim ignorance to that. We were going as hard as we could. I feel like I needed another 10 laps or so to be able to make a pass, but that’s not how it played out.”

The effort was Keselowski’s second consecutive top-two finish on an intermediate track. Keselowski won the series’ most recent points race on an intermediate — Darlington Raceway — and was 11th at Kansas Speedway in the race prior. Between Kansas, Darlington and Charlotte, Keselowski combined for 39 laps led.

“It was good to be that fast,” he said. “You want to make it count with wins. You don’t want to be a sore loser for second, but it stings because I know we had a car to win today and if it doesn’t hurt, you’re in the wrong business. We’ve got a lot of work to do on our short track program and our road course program, but our mile-and-a-half stuff seems really good right now.”

Buescher, RFK rolling with Charlotte’s punches

Chris Buescher is all too familiar with adversity at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but hopes this time around it’s out of the way before the Coca-Cola 600. Buescher ran into trouble Saturday afternoon after in Cup Series practice when a left-rear tire …

Chris Buescher is all too familiar with adversity at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but hopes this time around it’s out of the way before the Coca-Cola 600.

Buescher ran into trouble Saturday afternoon after in Cup Series practice when a left-rear tire issue sent him spinning in Turn 1. The No. 17 Ford Mustang Dark Horse hit the SAFER barrier on the driver’s side of the car, forcing RFK Racing into a long, challenging night to prepare for the race.

“We were fast in practice, and I was really happy,” Buescher. “We had talked about what we were going to do in practice if that was going to be four or five laps, come in and make an adjustment and go out and try again. On the good side of that, we were really close and happy to where I didn’t feel we needed to make an adjustment.

“On the bad side, we didn’t catch anything going wrong (with the tire). So, it’s going to put us way behind tomorrow.”

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The team worked overnight — 17 hours with 30 team members according to the organization’s social media page — at the race shop (which is less than five miles from the racetrack) to prepare Buescher’s backup car. He will start 39th because he did not get to attempt a qualifying lap.

Buescher finished eighth in last year’s Coca-Cola 600 after leading 12 laps. It was a year after his memorable barrel roll on the frontstretch after he was collected in a crash that started with Daniel Suarez spinning off Turn 4. He was running inside the top 15 at the time of that crash.

In his last five Coca-Cola 600 starts, Buescher has three top-10 finishes. He wound up seventh fastest in practice Saturday.

“(Charlotte) doesn’t owe it to me, it’s not the term I’d use but certainly, a little bit of good fortune along the way would be nice,” Buescher said. “I just go back to that we’ve had very good speed here. We’ve been very good at this race and I love the (Coke) 600. I love the challenge of it.

“I love that we finally have a hot day at the racetrack; I don’t feel like we’ve had hardly any this year and I feel like our team does a good job when the summer stretch comes around.”

To rebound with a strong race day Sunday would also cap off what has been an equally frustrating stretch of races for Buescher and his team, who have been in contention for multiple wins with nothing to show for it. Buescher has led 75 laps in the last two races, losing in a photo finish at Kansas Speedway and falling from the race lead at Darlington Raceway after contact with Tyler Reddick with 10 laps go.

The motivation is strong within Buescher’s camp to make it all come together in one of the biggest races of the year.

“It’s just a shame because I know this week has been busy getting this race car ready,” Buescher said. “Then to come out here and be that fast and have this happen, ultimately, it’s going to light that fire to make us come back and get it done. Again, it doesn’t owe us anything, but we’ve talked about this race needing to go a little bit smoother somewhere along the way for us and (practice) was not it.

“That was the first thing that crossed my mind, rolling down the backstretch limping there. With that said, I know our team is going to try hard for this. We’re going to be very fast, I don’t have a doubt in my mind. So, we get to pass a lot of cars.”

Racing on TV, May 23-27

All times Eastern; live broadcasts unless noted. Thursday, May 23 Taupo 2 9:00-10:00pm (D) Friday, May 24 Shanghai practice 1 4:55am Monaco practice 1 7:25-8:30am Monaco practice 1 7:25-8:30am Monaco practice 2 10:55am- 12:00pm Monaco practice 2 …

All times Eastern; live broadcasts unless noted.

Thursday, May 23

Taupo 2 9:00-10:00pm
(D)

Friday, May 24

Shanghai
practice 1		 4:55am

Monaco
practice 1		 7:25-8:30am

Monaco
practice 1		 7:25-8:30am

Monaco
practice 2		 10:55am-
12:00pm

Monaco
practice 2		 10:55am-
12:00pm

Indy 500
Carb Day
practice		 11:00am-1:00pm

Charlotte
qualifying		 1:30-3:00pm

Indy 500
Pit Stop
Challenge		 2:30-4:00pm

Charlotte
qualifying		 3:30-5:00pm

Charlotte 6:00-8:00pm

Shanghai
practice 2		 7:55pm

Charlotte 8:00-8:30pm
pre-race
8:30-11:00pm
race

Shanghai
qualifying		 10:00pm

Saturday, May 25

Shanghai
Race 1		 2:00am

Monaco
practice 3		 6:25-
7:30am

Monaco
practice 3		 6:25-
7:30am

Catalunya Sprint 8:30-10:00am

Monaco
qualifying		 9:55-
11:00am

Monaco
qualifying		 9:55-
11:00am

Charlotte 12:30-1:00pm
pre-race
1:00-4:00pm
race

Lime Rock TA2 1:00-2:30pm

Charlotte
qualifying		 5:00-7:00pm

Shanghai
practice 3		 7:55pm

Shanghai
qualifying 2		 10:00pm

Pala 4:00pm

Sunday, May 26

Shanghai
Race 2		 2:00am

Monaco GP 7:30-
8:55am
pre-race
8:55-11:00am
race

Monaco GP 7:30-
8:55am
pre-race
8:55-11:00am
race

Catalunya 7:30-10:00am

Indy 500 11:00am-
12:30pm
pre-race
12:30-4:00pm
race

Charlotte 5:30-6:00pm
pre-race
6:00-8:00pm
pre-race
8:00-10:30pm
race

Monday, May 27

Lime Rock TA 1:00-2:30pm

Key: SDD: Same day delay; D = delayed; R = Replay

All NTT IndyCar Series stream live on Peacock Premium.

MotoGP is now airing live on TruTV and Max’s B/R Sports Add-On. Check your streaming provider for air times

A variety of motor racing is available for streaming on demand at the following sites:

NASCAR would accommodate Larson getting to Charlotte ‘within reason’

NASCAR wants to see Kyle Larson attempt the Indianapolis/Charlotte double and will try to be as accommodating as possible Sunday night for the start of the Coca-Cola 600. “We’re going to work closely with the folks at Speedway Motorsports, our TV …

NASCAR wants to see Kyle Larson attempt the Indianapolis/Charlotte double and will try to be as accommodating as possible Sunday night for the start of the Coca-Cola 600.

“We’re going to work closely with the folks at Speedway Motorsports, our TV broadcast partners, the folks at (Hendrick Motorsports, to do everything we can to make sure that Kyle can get there — within reason,” NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “We’ve got some minute-by-minute (schedules) and when we do our command and when the green flag (waves), but we’re going to work closely together to make sure our fans get to see one of the best drivers ever in our sport to be able to participate in our Coke 600 Sunday night.”

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Larson qualified fifth for the Indianapolis 500 with Arrow McLaren last Sunday and flew to North Wilkesboro Speedway to compete in the NASCAR All-Star Race the same night. Although the Hendrick Motorsports driver made it with time to spare, landing at 7:15pm ET, NASCAR had pushed the start of the race back by 15 minutes.

The Indianapolis 500 has a green flag time of 12:45pm ET Sunday. Sunday night’s Coca-Cola 600, the longest race on the NASCAR schedule, goes green after 6pm ET.

“If you back up from what we just had at the All-Star weekend and obviously what was going on at Indy with Kyle, that is a great motorsports story for this young man to be able to do the double,” Sawyer said. “I think President Steve Phelps said it this week: that’s a generational talent, and there was an opportunity to do the triple where he could run Monaco (with Formula 1), then he could get to Indy, and then he could get to the 600, Kyle Larson is the guy who could do that.

“Obviously, that’s not going to happen; it logistically doesn’t work out. But as far as the sanctioning body, the industry, our fans last weekend, to see the helicopter drop in there at (North) Wilkesboro and Kyle get out, it’s a great storyline.”

It’s an estimated 50 minutes to one hour by plane from Indianapolis to Charlotte Motor Speedway. The plan is for Larson to leave the Brickyard by helicopter, get on a plane, and fly into the Concord airport before helicoptering to the speedway. For drivers who have competed in the double — most recently Kurt Busch in 2014 — the helicopter has landed on the frontstretch grass.

It’s also worth noting that the forecast for Sunday in Indianapolis calls for thunderstorms and heavy rain. Rick Hendrick said this week they will “let it play out” on race day before a decision has to be made about where Larson will compete.

The forecast for Sunday in Concord is partly cloudy and 87 degrees.

Kyle Larson shows off his stunning new helmet for his first Indy 500 attempt

This is so cool.

Kyle Larson is preparing for a very busy race day over Memorial Day Weekend, and regardless of how he does, he’ll be doing it in style.

Larson, a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver for Hendrick Motorsports, will attempt his first Indianapolis 500 behind the wheel of the No. 17 Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren and Hendrick, assuming he successfully qualifies for the race. And it’s not just his first Indy 500; it’ll be his first IndyCar Series race in general.

And after his first Indy 500, he’ll head down to Charlotte Motor Speedway and compete in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, aiming for a total of 1,100 miles of racing in a single day. So yeah, busy weekend.

Wednesday, the 31-year-old driver and 2021 NASCAR champ revealed the special helmet he’ll wear for the Indy 500 — and, presumably, Indy 500 events, like practice and qualifying. It’s a clear tribute to the iconic race, Yard of Bricks included, and Indianapolis as a whole.

With the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, Larson is aiming to become the fifth driver to do what’s known as “The Memorial Day Double.” Drivers John Andretti, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and Kurt Busch have all competed in The Double, but Stewart is the only one to complete all 1,100 miles.

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NASCAR ‘is the priority’ as Indy/Charlotte double looms for Larson

Kyle Larson said his priority is NASCAR as his schedule picks up over the next two weeks while attempting the Indianapolis 500 and Charlotte Coca-Cola 600 double. On Saturday at Darlington Raceway, Larson was asked about a worst-case scenario …

Kyle Larson said his priority is NASCAR as his schedule picks up over the next two weeks while attempting the Indianapolis 500 and Charlotte Coca-Cola 600 double.

On Saturday at Darlington Raceway, Larson was asked about a worst-case scenario surrounding the most significant race day in the United States on May 26. Larson, if all goes as planned, will have qualified his for Arrow McLaren entry for the Indianapolis 500, which is scheduled to start before 1pm ET. Afterward comes the trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600 in his regular Hendrick Motorsports entry.

But, as Larson was asked, what happens if he starts the Indy 500 and there ends up being a delay that affects how quickly it finishes? Who makes the call about whether he stays or leaves?

“Hopefully that doesn’t arise but I’m not sure who the one is to make that call,” Larson said. “I’m sure there is a window of time that when it probably gets to a certain point, I have to leave because the Coke 600 is the priority that weekend, and chasing another NASCAR championship is the priority.

“I just hope that it doesn’t come about. But I think Tony Kanaan is there as a reserve if something like that does happen to fill in for the 500. Yeah, just pray that doesn’t happen.”

Kanaan would only be able to fill in from the start of the race. He could not get in the car in the middle of the race if Larson had to leave.

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The agendas begin to flip flop beginning this week. Larson’s first priority (before any other scenario could come into play) is to qualify at Indianapolis, and he’ll get on track for practice starting Tuesday, May 14. There are also practice sessions scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Larson will stay based in Indianapolis for Friday and Saturday. On Friday, Larson will participate in Indy 500 practice before the qualifying draw. Kevin Harvick, meanwhile, will practice and qualify Larson’s car at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the NASCAR All-Star Race. Saturday is the day of the heat races to set the lineup for the All-Star Race.

There are no current plans for Larson to arrive at North Wilkesboro Speedway before Sunday night’s All-Star Race. However, the schedule could begin to change if inclement weather affects either the Indianapolis or North Wilkesboro schedules.

Another variable is where Larson winds up in Indianapolis 500 qualifying. Should Larson clock in 13th through 29th on the grid during his runs Saturday, he is not required to return Sunday. It clears the way to easily proceed to North Wilkesboro, where the priority is for him to run the feature race.

Sunday at Indianapolis would be for those still trying to bump into the field and the Fast 12.

Larson hopes to qualify and race his Arrow McLaren according to plan, but it all depends on the undependable Indianapolis weather… Chris Jones/Penske Entertainment

For Memorial Day weekend, things are easier if everything goes as planned. Larson will be in Indianapolis for Carb Day (Friday, May 24) and participate in the parade and public drivers’ meeting (Saturday, May 25) before traveling to Charlotte Motor Speedway for Cup Series activity. Cup Series drivers are not scheduled to be on track for practice until 5:05 p.m. ET before qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600.

How about another scenario where Larson needs a backup driver for the Coca-Cola 600?

“No, I haven’t heard that yet,” Larson said. “I guess maybe those are all last-minute calls, I think, where I’ll probably just like try to manifest a perfect weekend in our minds. So, maybe behind the scenes, they’ve been working on that.

“I think it all depends on some weather and stuff and forecasting what that might look like and maybe plans will change. But I don’t know.”