Rick Hendrick Pumps the Brakes on Connor Zilisch’s Indy 500 Ambitions
Connor Zilisch has a clear path ahead of him in NASCAR. The young driver is currently in his rookie Cup Series season with Trackhouse Racing and is scheduled to take over the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in 2028, replacing the retiring Alex Bowman. While driving for Hendrick on Sundays is already a major career milestone, Zilisch could eventually have another ambitious goal in mind: attempting the Indy 500-Coke 600 double.
However, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick isn’t particularly enthusiastic about that possibility, especially after watching Kyle Larson’s previous attempts.
“I’m done with that,” Hendrick said during an official media availability, as shared by Bob Pockrass on X. “But I’ve learned to say never say never, but it would take a lot of convincing for me to do that again.”
Zilisch has expressed a similarly cautious view. Although he has long dreamed of competing in the Indianapolis 500, his immediate priority is establishing himself in NASCAR.
“It’s something down the road that I’ve always dreamed of, but at the end of the day, I need to focus on what I’m doing on Sundays here before I really focus on stepping outside my comfort zone,” Zilisch said.
That has been Zilisch’s position for some time. Following his 2025 Xfinity Series victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Pennzoil 250, he was asked by Frontstretch about the possibility of competing in the Indy 500. His response was measured.
“I definitely want to be settled here before I commit to doing something like that,” Zilisch said at the time. He acknowledged the significant time commitment involved but left the door open to pursuing the opportunity once he became established in the Cup Series.
Hendrick’s reluctance is understandable given his previous experience with Larson and the Memorial Day Double. The challenge requires a driver to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day.
Larson attempted the feat twice, and neither experience went according to plan.
In 2024, Larson remained at Indianapolis despite a lengthy weather delay and ultimately missed the start of the Coca-Cola 600. He finished 18th at Indy before returning to Charlotte, only to discover that the NASCAR race had already been called because of rain.
The situation created additional complications for Larson. At the time, NASCAR required drivers to participate in every regular-season race to maintain playoff eligibility. Because Larson had remained at a non-NASCAR event instead of competing in the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR took nine days to determine whether he would receive a playoff waiver. During that period, his championship-contending team was left waiting for a decision.
Larson tried the double again in 2025, but the second attempt was even more difficult. He crashed out of both events and later explained that sponsor obligations and the immense pressure had transformed what was supposed to be a dream into an exhausting undertaking. He has since indicated that he does not intend to attempt the double again.
“I think my days of attempting the double are over,” Larson said.
The logistical demands alone make the challenge difficult. A successful Indy 500-Coke 600 attempt requires extensive preparation, sponsorship commitments, practice sessions and media obligations. Any disruption, particularly bad weather, can throw the entire schedule into chaos.
There is also a significant technical difference between the two disciplines. NASCAR stock cars weigh roughly 3,300 pounds and are designed to withstand contact, while IndyCars weigh around 1,600 pounds and can reach speeds approaching 240 mph. Even minor wheel-to-wheel contact in an IndyCar can have serious consequences.
The cars demand different driving techniques, preparation and mental approaches. For a young driver still adapting to the demands of a 36-race Cup Series season, taking on an entirely different racing discipline would represent a massive additional challenge.
Zilisch appears to understand those realities. His current approach mirrors Hendrick’s: establish himself in NASCAR first, and worry about the Indy 500 later.
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