Danica Patrick reveals expectations for Kyle Larson's 2024 Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 attempt
In May 2024, Kyle Larson will look to become the fourth driver to successfully pull off the “Memorial Day Double” by competing in the Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before heading to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the NASCAR Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600 that evening.
It’s a tall task, racing 1,100 miles between two race tracks 600 miles apart, but one Larson is prepared to attempt. Danica Patrick, who competed in both the IndyCar Series and Cup Series during her career, shared some advice for Larson with Michelle R. Martinelli of For The Win Thursday.
“With a guy like Kyle and a good team, there’s always a chance to win the Indy 500,” Patrick said. “Especially because usually there’s a high chance of two strategies working: The fast strategy, the leader strategy, and then something off-strategy because there are so many pitstops and there’s so much that happens in the race.
“But it is hard, no doubt. It is a tall challenge to feel really good in the car when it’s not what you do because open-wheeled cars are very different than stock cars. And I know he drives open-wheeled cars, but most of the time when he’s driving an open-wheeled car, he’s on dirt and not going 240 [miles an hour] on pavement.”
What is biggest challenge for Kyle Larson attempting ‘Memorial Day Double’
Patrick added that Larson’s biggest challenge will be staying composed throughout the day.
“He’s a pretty cool customer; he doesn’t really get too up or too down,” Patrick said. “But I think still just being able to have the amount of relaxation in the morning that it takes to keep your energy conserved for the race itself at Indy, and then not feeling frantic after it’s over with to hurry up and get to the Coke 600.
“Just staying calm through all that while then going and driving 1,100 miles at 200 miles an hour — I mean, that is a lot. That is a very big shift between staying relaxed in the morning, turning it on for the race, relaxing in between that and the Coke 600 and then turning it back on. …
“His capabilities to be able to drive both cars and do all those miles is good. It’s just, how much energy can you conserve in the in-between during that day, so that you have the most amount of focus and energy for the job itself?”
Larson, 30, is one of the sport’s most versatile competitors having won championships on both dirt and asphalt. The 2021 Cup Series champion has continued his dominance in 2023, notching two wins in 13 starts, as well as racing his No. 5 Chevrolet to victory lane in this past Sunday’s All-Star Race as North Wilkesboro Speedway, pocketing the $1 million purse.