Kyle Larson is no stranger to the spotlight, but these days, the conversation surrounding him is less about dominance and more about a puzzling slump. NASCAR veteran and analyst Kyle Petty recently shared his candid take, claiming that Larson has “fallen off a cliff” since his much-anticipated attempt at the Indy-Charlotte double earlier this year. It’s a strong statement, but for anyone following Larson’s trajectory, it’s hard to completely dismiss Petty’s observation.
The story begins with Larson’s ambitious decision to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day—a feat known in motorsports as “The Double.” The daring attempt instantly made headlines, with Larson widely praised for wanting to join the ranks of racing legends like Tony Stewart, John Andretti, and Kurt Busch, who have taken on the grueling test of skill, endurance, and logistics.
Leading up to the double, Larson was in stellar form. His Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 car looked fast on every track, and he was a constant threat for wins. He entered the month of May with momentum and a real shot to make history. His qualifying runs at Indianapolis were impressive for a NASCAR regular, and though weather and logistics ultimately complicated the double—he never got to complete the Coca-Cola 600 due to rain delays—his effort drew admiration from across the motorsports world.
But according to Kyle Petty, the high of that moment may have been the peak before a steep drop-off. Since that exhausting weekend, Larson’s performances have been underwhelming by his own high standards. While he remains competitive in qualifying and shows flashes of speed, he hasn’t consistently converted good starts into wins or podiums.
Petty, who never holds back his opinions, argued that the demands of preparing for two of racing’s most grueling events may have thrown Larson’s rhythm off. “Kyle Larson is one of the best natural talents we’ve ever seen,” Petty said on a recent NBC Sports segment. “But since that double, he’s fallen off a cliff. The energy, the focus—it’s not quite there. Maybe it’s fatigue, maybe it’s distraction, but it’s clear something’s not clicking the same way.”
Larson’s supporters push back on that notion. They argue that the results don’t tell the whole story. Mechanical issues, pit road penalties, and even bad luck have plagued several of his recent races. In some cases, Larson has fought his way back into the top ten despite setbacks that would ruin the day for most drivers. His driving skill is still undeniable, but the edge that made him unstoppable during his 2021 championship run seems dulled at the moment.
The data backs up both sides of the argument. Since May, Larson has struggled to add wins to his tally, but he hasn’t disappeared entirely. He’s still racking up stage points and remains a playoff contender. Yet for a driver of his caliber—and given the equipment Hendrick provides—anything less than victories feels like a disappointment.
Petty’s comments also open up a broader debate about whether The Double is worth the trade-offs for NASCAR stars. Some fans believe the allure of Indy is too great to pass up, especially for drivers who crave the prestige of running the biggest open-wheel race in America. Others argue that focusing on the NASCAR Cup Series championship should be the top priority. After all, missing points opportunities—even if only by skipping part of a race—can be costly in a season where every position counts.
Larson himself has remained upbeat, refusing to blame The Double for his struggles. He’s acknowledged that the extra seat time and preparation were demanding but insists that he wouldn’t hesitate to attempt it again if given the chance. To him, it’s a dream worth chasing—whether or not it complicates his Cup Series campaign.
Looking ahead, the question is whether Larson can bounce back in time for the playoffs. He’s proven time and again that he can catch fire at the right moment. His raw talent, combined with Hendrick’s resources, means he’s always just one race away from regaining that unstoppable form. But if the current slump extends deep into the summer, Petty’s words may start to look less like harsh commentary and more like a sharp prediction.
At the end of the day, Kyle Larson’s story is far from over. He remains one of the sport’s biggest stars, with the guts to take on challenges most drivers wouldn’t dare touch. Maybe the Indy-Charlotte Double did knock him off rhythm—but knowing Larson, it may also fuel him to prove his critics wrong. If history is any guide, counting him out no
w would be a mistake.
