Kyle Larson Seeks Redemption at Coca-Cola 600 This Sunday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kyle Larson is set to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday night. The 2021 Cup Series champion is looking for redemption after missing last year’s race due to delays at the Indianapolis 500.

Larson arrived late to the event last year, hoping to be one of the few drivers to race in both the Indy 500 and the Coke 600 on the same day. This season, he will drive two cars: the No. 17 Dallara-Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren in Indianapolis before switching to his No. 5 Chevrolet in the Cup Series.

In the 2025 Cup season, Larson has achieved personal bests, including three victories, eight top-five finishes, and leading 817 laps through the first 12 races. His latest win at Kansas Speedway on May 4 helped him surpass 10,000 career laps led, marking a significant milestone in his racing career.

The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest race of the season, spanning 400 laps, or 600 miles, on the 1.5-mile oval. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will give the command to start engines at 6:16 p.m. The race is expected to kick off with the green flag at 6:27 p.m.

Pre-race festivities will include driver introductions at 5:25 p.m. and an invocation by Chaplain LTC Will H. Horton at 6:01 p.m. The Charlotte Fire Department Pipe Band will perform “Amazing Grace” shortly after, followed by “Taps” performed by MSgt Kristopher Westrich of the U.S. Air Force Band. The national anthem will be sung by Vocalist MU1 Danlie Cuenca from The United States Navy Band.

Heavy participation is anticipated from Hendrick Motorsports, as their drivers have led 1,387 laps this season, accounting for 41.6 percent of all laps. The forecast for race day indicates cloudy weather with a slight chance of rain, high temperatures around 78 degrees, and mild winds.

Last year’s event saw Christopher Bell take victory, leading for 90 laps before rain shortened the race to 374 miles.