What Indy 500 delay could mean for Larson’s ‘double’ attempt

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INDIANAPOLIS — Mother Nature apparently isn’t a race fan.

The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 was delayed due to stormy weather, with track officials opting to clear the grandstands approximately one hour before heavy rain and lightning arrived at the track.

Pre-race entertainment was paused and the “Snake Pit” — a dance music concert in the infield that draws up to 30,000 people — was halted to give fans enough time to return to their cars or otherwise seek shelter at the racetrack.

The green flag was originally set to wave at 12:45 p.m.

The delay also means NASCAR star Kyle Larson, who was set to become the fifth driver to attempt the “Double” by racing in both Indy and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, is in a difficult situation. Larson is essentially choosing between the Indy 500 (where he qualified fifth) and his day job in NASCAR.

The plan, for now, is that Larson will stay in Indianapolis and race in the Indianapolis 500 and miss the start of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

But as members of Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports stressed Sunday, just moments after Larson’s decision became public, the situation is fluid. And could change again should rain further impact the Indianapolis 500, stressed Justin Allgaier, Larson’s reserve driver who is slated to start NASCAR’s longest race.

“If they get another weather storm up there (in Indianapolis), I see him getting here a lot quicker,” Allgaier told The Athletic and Fox Sports. “This whole situation is really fluid.”

Should Larson be delayed getting to Charlotte for the start of the Coca-Cola 600, Allgaier will start the race. Whether he’ll finish the race is a different question.

If Larson were to arrive at the track while the race was ongoing, Allgaier indicated that Larson would relieve him at some point as driver of the No. 5 car. Allgaier would still be the driver of record and wherever Larson was to finish would be credited to Allgaier.

“At any given point, no matter what happens, if Kyle gets here with 10 (laps) to go or if he gets here on Lap 10, we’re going to swap,” Allgaier said. “If Kyle can get here in time for any type of green-flag action in this car, he’s going to do it.”

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(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)