The Hendrick Motorsports team had the opportunity to set off firecrackers several times this season. From celebrating its 40th anniversary at Martinsville to having the most Cup wins, the team has plenty of reasons to celebrate. Now another big show is in the works, as HMS star driver Kyle Larson prepares for a hectic two-race schedule.
The 25-time Cup winner is preparing for The Double on Memorial Day weekend. However, an unexpected development may prove detrimental to his important efforts, as a high-ranking American politician prepares to grace the second race.
A political icon could ruin Kyle Larson’s attempt
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Running the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 are not for the faint-hearted. HMS VC Jeff Gordon was tense from the driver’s pursuit of her. Kyle Larson is only the fifth pilot to attempt this stressful mission. Before him, Tony Stewart remains the only one to have completed both races on his second attempt. But the NASCAR Hall of Famer faced dehydration and fatigue in the process.
Therefore, the next news update could affect Larson’s ambitions. Charlotte Motor Speedway General Manager Greg Walter updated that Donald Trump or “the 45th President of the United States is making plans to attend our race this weekend.” Trump is currently on a contentious election campaign, trying to oust President Joe Biden from office.
If the Republican candidate attended, things would get complicated for Kyle Larson. One NASCAR insider summed up his fears: “Donald Trump’s arrival at the Coca-Cola 600 is not a surprise considering he is campaigning. My only concern is that he affects Kyle Larson’s fly considering all the airports in the area are closed.”
Donald Trump’s arrival at Coca-Cola 600 is not a surprise considering that he is campaigning.
My only concern is that it will affect Kyle Larson’s fly considering that all the airports in the area are closed.
– Darian Gilliam (@BlackFlagMatter) May 20, 2024
The three-hour Indianapolis 500 will end at 12:45 p.m. This gives Kyle Larson a short window, as he needs to fly out of Indy at 4 to make it in time for the Coca-Cola 600, scheduled to start at 6:18 pm Trump’s presence may restrict airspace in and around Charlotte.
The Federal Aviation Administration website also issues alarm calls. “No person may operate an aircraft over or in the vicinity of any area to be visited or transited by the President, Vice President or other public figures contrary to the restrictions established by the FAA and published in a NOTAM.”
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But hopefully, Charlotte officials can stop the race to wait for Kyle Larson in case he’s late. The All-Star race was also postponed for 16 minutes to accommodate Larson’s arrival. Race day at North Wilkesboro also allowed Larson to practice a drill of The Double.
Larson is fully prepared for Memorial Day
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Given the well-known stories of Tony Stewart fainting in Charlotte on his doubleheader, Kyle Larson comes prepared. Before D-Day at Memorial Weekend, he took a practice run on Sunday. After qualifying fifth for the Indy 500, he boarded a helicopter across Gasoline Alley and a waiting van. Larson then switched air helicopters twice before finally arriving in North Wilkesboro three hours after he finished his qualifying.
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NASCAR and FOX worked with Hendrick Motorsports to make Kyle Larson’s presence a reality. They provided some cushioning and delayed the All-Star Race by a quarter of an hour. This is understandable, as Larson drives television ratings as one of NASCAR’s biggest stars. The HMS pilot arrived around 8:30 pm, started from the back of the field and eventually made it to the front row, finishing in fourth place.
Kyle Larson’s great talent as a runner can propel him to the podium at The Double, at the very least.
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