Kyle Larson unveiled his paint schemes for both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 this at Indianapolis this summer, and that got us thinking about other drivers we would love to see drivers try the Indianapolis/Charlotte “Double”. Who are some of the top drivers that could attempt this incredible racing feat?
Kyle Busch has the desire to run in the Indianapolis 500, and he has tried for years. Unfortunately, the right opportunity has eluded him throughout the years. It would be fun to see him run the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, however.
His brother, Kurt, was the last driver to attempt both races in 2014, and Kurt ran a solid 6th at Indianapolis. Could Kyle run just as well in the “500”? There is no reason to suggest that he can’t, and, if the right opportunity is still available down the line, fans would love it.
Scott Dixon is the best IndyCar driver of this generation, and those of us in attendance at Indianapolis last weekend saw exactly why. Given how good he is at saving tires, fuel, and equipment in general, the Coca-Cola 600 is right within his wheelhouse. He is still very much a race-win and Championship contender in IndyCar, so maybe this is a few years down the line.
Regardless, Dixon would be a fun driver to bring into NASCAR. How could he handle the one endurance race on the NASCAR calendar being a driver who is famous for milking equipment while still getting performance out of it? He could be a dark horse threat for a solid finish.
Christopher Bell is probably Kyle Larson’s closest comparison in terms of driving style and diversity. Both have backgrounds in dirt racing, even though Larson seems to be able to race dirt nowadays more than Bell. However, if Larson does well, then why not Bell?
It would be interesting to see a driver with a similar background race in the Indianapolis 500. This would have to be a few seasons down the road, but, Bell has a lot of talent. He would be an interesting choice to run in the Indianapolis 500.
Who better to bring into the “Double” conversation than the defending winner of the Indianapolis 500. Josef Newgarden won his first Indy 500 back in May, and he currently drives for Roger Penske. With him already driving for Team Penske, that makes for an easy in to a NASCAR Cup Series ride in the Coca-Cola 600 if he wants it.
Newgarden does not have really any experience in stock cars, however. That means he may not pick it up as easily as other motorsports, especially given that he has not raced many similar cars either. Then again, being an Indianapolis 500 winner, he would be an interesting one to watch.
Jimmie Johnson has already run in the Indy 500 before, but he also ran in the Coca-Cola 600 this year. There were a few who put together the dream scenario of him running in both races this season, and it would definitely be a cool story. Especially considering that Johnson has won at Indianapolis in NASCAR four times.
He showed in IndyCar at times that he could be successful on ovals, and he led laps in his only Indianapolis 500. It would be an interesting story, but is it enough for him to want to come back?
The Double is something that has been talked about but rarely do drivers actually attempt it. Kyle Larson is going to do it, and maybe he will inspire others to try it again.
