NASCAR Fans Confused as Kyle Larson’s Insanity Forces Roger Penske to Bring the “Larson” Rule to IndyCar

In 2024, Kyle Larson had a dream that seemed just inches from reality. He attempted the iconic “Memorial Day Double”—racing 1,100 miles between the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600—a bold move only a few legends had tried. But Mother Nature had other plans. A four-hour rain delay at Indianapolis Motor Speedway pushed the start of the Indy 500 into the evening.

Larson, determined to race in both events, stayed in Indy and finished 18th. By the time he made it to Charlotte, the NASCAR race had already been washed out. He didn’t turn a single lap in the Coca-Cola 600. That decision nearly cost him more than just track time. Because NASCAR rules require drivers to compete in every regular-season race to be playoff eligible, Larson had to apply for a special waiver.

It took more than a week to be approved, even though he had already won twice and secured his playoff spot on paper. This incident sparked offseason rule changes in both NASCAR and IndyCar. NASCAR tweaked the playoff waiver, taking itself out of the equation. Now, if the driver chooses to miss the race, they can still compete in the playoff, but without the playoff points they’ve earned throughout the regular season. And this was seen as a direct response by NASCAR to Larson’s decision to snub the Coca-Cola 600 and race at the Indy 500.

And as the 2025 season gears up, fans are realizing the full ripple effect of Larson’s pursuit. Especially with IndyCar now rolling out their new rules for their crown jewel event. NASCAR fans, in particular, are puzzled by a new rule implemented by Roger Penske and IndyCar.

Roger Penske limits Kyle Larson’s double attempt!

Ahead of the 2025 Indianapolis 500, Penske Entertainment and IndyCar updated their guidelines regarding replacement drivers. The new regulations make it clear: any driver competing in another major motorsports event on the same day as the Indy 500 must have a backup ready. For 2025, Kyle Larson’s backup will be Arrow McLaren’s Tony Kanaan, a former Indy 500 champion and now team principal. But there’s a catch.

If Larson starts the Indy 500 and then needs to leave mid-race, no one can take over. That car retires on the spot. For safety reasons, teams personalize cockpit setups. They tailor-make pedals, seats, and controls for each driver, which makes an in-race switch unsafe. However, if Larson decides not to start and Kanaan steps in, the car will start at the rear of the field, regardless of qualifying position.

This change seems simple on the surface, but fans quickly saw through the corporate phrasing. It’s all about Kyle. The “Larson Rule,” as fans are now calling it, is IndyCar’s preemptive strike to avoid another rain-soaked controversy. One fan nailed it: “Forever to be known as ‘The Kyle Larson’ rule.” They’re right. The new policy kicks in only when a driver commits to another marquee event on Indy 500 Race Day—and right now, only Larson fits that bill. No other driver in either series is attempting this type of double duty.

Adding to the pressure, NASCAR isn’t making it easier either. Following last year’s playoff waiver drama, NASCAR changed its rules too. Drivers who miss a race for non-medical reasons, even with a waiver, will now forfeit all earned playoff points. If Larson qualifies again this year but skips Charlotte due to another delay at Indy, he’ll enter the postseason with zero playoff points. It’s a massive gamble. Especially considering how big this year’s double attempt is.

Prime Video has stepped in as the presenting sponsor for Larson’s #Hendrick1100 campaign. Both his IndyCar and NASCAR entries will wear the streaming giant’s branding. Even more, a feature-length documentary is already filming, chronicling Larson’s two-year journey through both 2024 and 2025. This isn’t just a racing story. It’s becoming a pop culture event. Notably, Larson and Hendrick Motorsports have said publicly that their priority this year is Charlotte.

But if the skies open again in Indianapolis, all bets are off. Speaking about it with Dale Earnhardt Jr Tonny Kanaan said, “I mean if he starts the race, and it gets delayed, by the rules, I cannot jump in that car, so that car is going to retire. If he starts the race and then it rains or gets out, and he needs to get out. That car is parked…” And if that happens, NASCAR fans will once again watch a championship contender forced into the sidelines of his own season.

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Fans rally behind Larson following surprise Indy rule change!

As expected, fans are having a field day with the new developments. What began as a bold dream by one driver has now shaped policy in both major American motorsports series. And social media has exploded with reactions. One fan tweeted, “Larson adds so much attention to each event and both series want to make it so difficult.” That’s not far off. Larson’s participation adds eyeballs, headlines, and now…rules. Both NASCAR and IndyCar have scrambled to accommodate, or limit, the fallout of his commitment.

Meanwhile, a fan joked, “He’s just so good that they have to implement rules to prevent his reign over American motorsports.” Tony Stewart is the only NASCAR driver to have successfully completed the double in 2001. Now that NASCAR has finally got a versatile driver who can draw level with Smoke, unnecessary rules and regulations just might foil his ambitious plans.

If anything, this attempt by Larson should’ve been celebrated by both series. Very few drivers try to attempt the 1100 miles of racing in a single day, and let’s just say the HMS driver has some unfinished business at the Brickyard. He has the potential to win both marquee events, but with the curveball of the new rules, we might see his dream run never materialize on the track. And this thought was bugging this race fan, “So basically they created a rule specifically for drivers trying to do the double.”

Still, not everyone is buying the logic. “This does not define what happens once the race is underway and it rains and Larson gets out. I suppose he could say he is ill or having vision problems and who is to question,” another fan pointed out. A fair concern. The rules still leave some gray areas open for manipulation, especially if a mid-race delay forces a tough decision. Regardless of where fans fall—confused, entertained, annoyed—everyone is watching.