Emergency exit plan for Coca-Cola 600 revealed for Kyle Larson if Indianapolis 500 delayed

A few raindrops have been falling on the track ahead of the Indianapolis 500, and Kyle Larson has an emergency exit plan in place. The race is scheduled to begin at 12:45 PM ET. If rain delays the race, when will Larson have to leave to make the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600?

The air is dry at Indy, and there appears to be no sign of the track being “lost,” meaning it isn’t raceable. Last year, Kyle Larson had his Double attempt ruined by the rain. With the few drops coming down today, Larson might be having flashbacks.

Nathan Brown of the Indy Star spoke with Tony Kanaan about the backup plan in case of a delay. If the race hasn’t started by 3:00 PM ET, then Larson will have to leave for Charlotte and the 600. That would put Kanaan in the Indy 500 as the backup driver.

Brown also reports that raindrops have slowed. There is optimism that this race will begin without much issue.

From one team principal to another.

Tony Kanaan just told me that Larson will leave IMS if we haven’t started the Indy 500 by 3pm.

Of note: Raindrops seem to have slowed a bit at least.

TK gave his fire suit to Rick Hendrick this AM. Luckily, he & Larson are the same size. pic.twitter.com/XE7YskHCEd

— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) May 25, 2025

The raindrops falling in Indianapolis could prove to be a challenge for Kyle Larson and his entire team. The hope, I think, is that it is dry and windy enough to keep everything mostly dry.

Larson qualified P2 for the Coca-Cola 600. He will get to keep that starting position even if he misses driver intros and the drivers meeting. NASCAR has given him an exemption from both. If there is no delay, Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, says the plan is to be at driver intros in Charlotte.

So, Larson more or less has an hour of built-in time for a short delay. That would have him cutting it insanely close in order to make the start of the Coke 600. Then there is concern about the weather in Charlotte later tonight.

Kyle Larson Double attempt delayed by weather

As many feared, a slight rain has caused a minor delay in the Indianapolis 500 festivities. The pre-race ceremonies are over, but the cars are being held on the grid as everyone waits for this last bit of rain to get through the area.

As of right now, the track has not been lost. There is a worry that any kind of delay, even a 20 to 30 minute delay, could cause Larson to lose out on his window of opportunity and miss out on his chance to race 1100 miles today.

The nerves have to be rising at this moment. Larson must be playing last season’s upsetting result as he completely missed out on the Coca-Cola 600. Of course, Larson has to make it to Charlotte and start the race in his No. 5 Chevrolet.

If he doesn’t start the race in Charlotte, Larson risks losing all of his playoff points for the rest of the season. That would almost surely end his championship hopes.