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Prime Video’s new documentary, Kyle Larson vs. The Double, offers an unflinching look at the NASCAR Cup Series champion’s monumental quest to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Originally conceived as a seven-month project, the series ultimately spanned over two years, chronicling Larson’s intense preparation, emotional struggles, and the unforeseen challenges that derailed his historic ambition. The documentary does not shy away from the complexities of Larson’s journey, presenting a raw and often poignant narrative that extends beyond the racetrack.
The ambitious endeavor, known as "The Double," involves completing 1,100 miles of racing across two vastly different disciplines and geographic locations: the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Indy 500 and Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. This feat has been attempted by only a select few drivers in motorsport history, with fewer still managing to complete every lap in both events. The documentary emphasizes the sheer magnitude of this challenge from its outset, highlighting that Larson’s pursuit required a significant commitment of time and resources, far exceeding initial expectations.
Kyle Larson vs. The Double provides an intimate, behind-the-scenes perspective on Larson’s meticulous preparation for the Indianapolis 500, an event entirely new to his racing repertoire. Viewers witness his learning curve as he grapples with the nuances of open-wheel racing, a stark contrast to the stock cars he has dominated. The series showcases Larson’s immersion in the Arrow McLaren organization, where he received guidance from seasoned veterans like 2013 Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan. The documentary details his time spent on simulators at the GM Technical Center, practicing pit stops, and learning the intricate functions of an IndyCar’s steering wheel, which features numerous buttons and adjustments, a far cry from the single radio button on a NASCAR steering wheel.
The documentary also delves into the personal life of Kyle Larson, seeking to provide context for his relentless pursuit of challenging goals. It features extensive interviews and footage of his wife, Katelyn, and their children – Owen, Audrey, and Cooper. These segments highlight the family’s support and sacrifices, as well as the personal toll that Larson’s demanding career takes. A particularly poignant moment involves his son Owen expressing how much his father misses his own races, a sentiment Larson himself acknowledges with regret. The series also touches upon family history, including the internment of Larson’s grandparents during World War II, adding another layer to his understanding of heritage and perseverance.
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A significant portion of the documentary addresses the personal and professional ramifications of a 2020 incident where Larson was caught using a racial slur during an iRacing event. This resulted in his suspension from NASCAR and termination from Chip Ganassi Racing. The series includes candid reflections on this scandal, with even his father expressing profound disappointment. The inclusion of this difficult chapter underscores the documentary’s commitment to presenting a comprehensive and unvarnished portrayal of Larson’s career, acknowledging past mistakes and the process of redemption.
The narrative builds towards the 2024 Indy 500 attempt, where Larson’s learning curve is evident. He asks constant questions about gearing, brake pedal travel, and the overall dynamics of the high-speed oval. The documentary captures the tension and pressure of qualifying, including a moment where teammate Rinus VeeKay crashed heavily. Larson himself experienced a scare during his qualifying run when an alarm prompted him to abort his final lap, leading to confusion and frustration within the pit crew. Despite these challenges, Larson qualified for the Indy 500, with his NASCAR team, Hendrick Motorsports, watching closely from North Wilkesboro as they prepared for their own event.
The actual race day for the 2024 "Double" was fraught with meteorological challenges. A significant rain delay at Indianapolis threatened to jeopardize Larson’s ability to reach Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. The documentary portrays the frantic deliberations between Hendrick Motorsports leadership and NASCAR officials regarding contingency plans for a mid-race driver swap. Larson, while outwardly appearing composed on the Indy 500 grid, reveals in voiceovers his internal turmoil, concerned about letting down his NASCAR team. Despite a strong performance in the Indy 500, where he ran within the top ten late in the race, a crucial speeding penalty on his final pit stop ultimately derailed his chances of a strong finish. The penalty, lamented by McLaren boss Zak Brown, resulted in Larson finishing 18th, a result that left him deeply disappointed and feeling he had let his team down.
Upon rushing to Charlotte, Larson arrived amidst the lingering effects of the same weather system that delayed the Indy 500. While the rain delay in Charlotte initially seemed advantageous, allowing him to quickly get into his Cup car, the race was ultimately postponed, preventing him from completing a single lap of the Coca-Cola 600. This outcome meant a double DNF for the day, completing only 595 of the intended 1,100 miles. The documentary captures the profound dejection Larson experienced, with Jeff Gordon noting that it was the first time he had seen Larson so disheartened. The fallout from missing the Coca-Cola 600 led to discussions about the NASCAR waiver and Larson’s eligibility for the championship, ultimately resulting in him being deemed ineligible to score championship points for missing races.
The documentary attempts to provide a sense of closure by showcasing Larson’s subsequent victory in the NASCAR Brickyard 400 later that year, a significant achievement at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, the narrative emphasizes that this success did not fully resolve the lingering sense of unfinished business from his "Double" attempt.
The series then transitions to the anticipation of the second "Double" attempt in 2025. While the latter part of the documentary dedicates less screen time to the preparation compared to the first attempt, it still conveys the immense effort involved. Larson’s 2025 Indy 500 campaign was met with further adversity. He crashed for the first time in an IndyCar, a stark reminder of the inherent dangers and unpredictability of the sport. Tony Kanaan’s earlier warning about the toll Indianapolis can take on drivers resonated as Larson faced his own challenging moments.
The repercussions of the 2024 "Double" attempt also led to policy shifts. NASCAR implemented stricter rules regarding championship eligibility for drivers missing races, and Rick Hendrick made it clear that missing the Coca-Cola 600 would no longer be an option for Larson, regardless of his position in the Indy 500. As fate would have it, weather once again played a pivotal role in the 2025 race day.
The 2025 Indy 500 proved to be a nightmare scenario for Larson. After stalling in the pits and then engaging the wrong gear on a restart, he crashed on lap 92, ending his hopes of completing the Indy 500. The self-recrimination was palpable as he expressed frustration with himself for squandering an early opportunity. The subsequent journey to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600 was fueled by a determination to salvage the day. However, just 43 laps into the race, Larson hit the wall, and a subsequent incident later in the event ended his night prematurely. He completed only 595 of the targeted 1,100 miles, resulting in a second consecutive double DNF.
In the documentary’s concluding segments, Larson reflects on the crushing disappointment. He expresses disbelief that the same scenario unfolded, lamenting the lack of a "happy ending" he so desperately desired for himself and his team. Despite the setbacks, Larson finds a measure of pride in having undertaken such a formidable challenge, acknowledging the courage required to risk reputation and well-being. He does not view the entire experience as a failure, but rather as a testament to the difficulty of the endeavor. While he has since ruled out a third attempt at the "Double," Larson expresses a desire to return to Indianapolis after concluding his NASCAR career.
Kyle Larson vs. The Double is presented as a compelling watch for racing enthusiasts, offering a raw and emotional account of a high-stakes pursuit. The documentary’s strength lies in its candid approach, tackling uncomfortable truths about Larson’s life and career without glossing over the difficult moments. While the extended filming period meant the second "Double" attempt received less in-depth coverage, Larson’s personal reflections help to bridge any gaps. The series ultimately serves as a powerful exploration of ambition, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of motorsport. The documentary is available for streaming on Prime Video, preceding the platform’s broadcast of upcoming Cup Series races.
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