NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte odds, predictions: Kyle Larson’s ‘Double’ attempt on Memorial Day Weekend

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The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Charlotte for Memorial Day Weekend, and we get another chance to see Kyle Larson attempt to be the second driver ever to complete “The Double” — finishing all 1,100 miles of the Coca-Cola 600 and Indy 500 in the same day.

Five drivers have attempted the feat — John Andretti, Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson — but only Stewart completed all 1,100 miles, running sixth at Indy and third at Charlotte in 2001. Last year, Larson made his first attempt, but a storm system delayed the Indy 500 start, and then followed him to Charlotte, ending the Coca-Cola 600 before Larson could take over mid-race.

Sunday’s race is the first of Prime Video’s five exclusive NASCAR looks, which includes the Cup Series’ first points-paying race in Mexico City on June 15.

As always, our motorsports experts, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, are here to walk us through all we need to know before the big race, plus favorites and long shots to win it all.

Take it away, guys!

How to watch the Coca-Cola 600

• Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway — Concord, N.C.
• Time: Sunday, May 25, 6 p.m. ET
• Watch: Prime Video

NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Q&A, predictions

Kyle Larson is attempting the double again! Last year, NASCAR gave him some pushback on it. What’s the vibe this year? What are the odds he completes it this year?

Jeff: It’s been quieter for Larson this year, which is how he likes it. Last year, the hype was immense, but then Larson couldn’t even complete the Double when it rained at Indy, and he missed the NASCAR race. The weather is more favorable for Sunday now, so Larson should have a great chance to run both. I don’t think he will win Indy, but if he gets a top-10 and finishes all the laps in both races, that would be very impressive and check the box of his Double feat.

Jordan: It’s definitely a much more low-key vibe this go around, though this should be expected considering the novelty has worn off to some degree with this being his second attempt. But should Larson complete the 500 and make it to Charlotte in time to run all 600 miles, he will certainly be back in the spotlight. As for what to expect performance-wise, a top-10 finish at Indy should be viewed as a success, and winning at Charlotte is certainly on the table. In fact, he should be considered the favorite to win.

Does the controversy over Penske in IndyCar bleed over into the NASCAR world? If so, how?

Jeff: Not yet, but it’s possible. Here’s why: Right now, Penske has three huge holes in its IndyCar program after firing three top officials, which will require reshuffling the organization. It’s not out of the question that Penske could slide some people around who touch the NASCAR program. Also, it’s fair to wonder what this means for Austin Cindric. While Cindric is running well enough to keep his job (he’s already won a race this season, after all), what will his long-term future be now that his father, Tim, is no longer a Penske employee?

Jordan: The impact should be minimal, even if there is some behind-the-scenes reshuffling, as one of the benefits Penske has over most other teams is the depth of resources at its disposal and the number of talented people it has on staff. Both these advantages should help overcome losing three key members. The Austin Cindric angle is an interesting one, though Roger Penske is very loyal, and while he may have had to let Austin’s father go, this shouldn’t mean that Austin is suddenly on shaky ground. Plus, results do matter. And on this front, he is delivering, as his stat line is similar to teammate Joey Logano, the defending Cup champion, and he’s led more laps than his other teammate, Ryan Blaney, the 2023 champion.

Who is your favorite to win the Coca-Cola 600? Larson is the favorite, but might his “Double” attempt dampen his shot?

Jeff: There’s a reason Larson is the favorite after oddsmakers just watched the Kansas race earlier this month, in which Larson led 221 of 267 laps and won from the pole. Charlotte is a 1.5-mile track like Kansas and Texas, a race in which Larson led the most laps and finished fourth the week before Kansas. That said, Larson might not have won the Kansas race if the field hadn’t made mistakes that allowed him to retain his track position, so his pure dominance might be a bit of a mirage. But he’s still going to be really good, and I could easily see him capping his Double attempt with an exclamation point victory.

Jordan: Larson and his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports car are at their best on intermediate tracks, which is what Charlotte is. This is the driver and team everyone will be gauging themselves against on Sunday.

Who is a long shot you like?

Jeff: There are some wildly absurd long shots here who could absolutely win the race. You’re telling me Chase Briscoe, a Joe Gibbs Racing car, is +3500? Seriously? And Josh Berry, who actually won at a 1.5-mile track earlier this season, is +2500? It might even be worth taking a flier on former Coke 600 winner Austin Dillon (+20000), at least for a top-10 finish. Dillon is actually tied for seventh on the active list for top-10s at Charlotte (five).

Jordan: Josh Berry and Wood Brothers Racing have had lots of speed on intermediate tracks this season, so the fact that he’s listed at +2500 is head-scratching. So if you’re looking for a flier, you could do a whole lot worse than Berry.

Race winner odds for Coca-Cola 600

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(Photo of Kyle Larson: James Gilbert / Getty Images)

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