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Mario Andretti sends incredible video message to Kyle Larson ahead of Indy 500, Coca-Cola 600 double

Stephen Samraby: Steve Samra05/21/24SamraSource
Mario Andretti
© Gary Mook/For IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ahead of all eyes being on Kyle Larson due to his attempt to pull the double this weekend, Mario Andretti sent the No. 5 wheelman an emotional, motivational video, wishing him well.

The racing legend has been an inspiration to Larson throughout his entire career, and one of the reasons why Larson wanted to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. Now, one of his heroes is letting Larson know how proud of him he truly is.

Check out the emotional video below, which originally aired during FOX’s broadcast of the NASCAR All-Star Race, where Larson was seen getting a little choked up after watching.

“A message from a legend to an Indy 500 first-timer,” FOX: NASCAR captioned the video, shared to X. “Mario Andretti talks about what it means to do the double and the many similarities between his story and Kyle Larson’s.”

That’s a beautiful production from the team over at NASCAR on FOX, letting Larson know how big of a deal his attempt at the double is over Memorial Day weekend. The attention of Mario Andretti, along with the rest of the racing world, will be on Kyle Larson this coming Sunday.

Kyle Larson reflects on ‘long day’ qualifying for Indy 500, competing in NASCAR All-Star Race

Amid all the pomp and circumstance, Kyle Larson certainly had himself a day on Sunday between Indianapolis and North Wilkesboro.

Moments after qualifying fifth for the 108th Running of the Indy 500, Larson jetted over to North Wilkesboro Speedway to take part in the NASCAR All-Star Race. If it sounds like a long day, that’s because it was for Larson, though a day he’s very proud of.

“Yeah, it was a long day but a memorable one, for sure,” Larson said on NASCAR Race Hub Monday. “I was proud of everything that we’ve been able to accomplish here at the [Indianapolis Motor] Speedway and then also proud of the way we executed our race at North Wilkesboro.

“You know, myself not being there for practice, never being on that racetrack before with the repave — all that I felt like I was able to get up to speed fairly quickly and our team put ourselves in the best position that we possibly could to win the race.” 

At some point, Larson’s schedule will lighten up a bit. This week, however, will not be the time for that.

This Sunday, Larson will attempt to become the fifth driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte Double. Following the conclusion of the Indy 500, Larson will jet over to Charlotte to race in the Coca-Cola 600.

Green flag for the Indy 500 will wave at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET, while the Coca-Cola 600 begins at 6 p.m.

On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.