Note: The Penske Entertainment editorial staff is looking back at the 10 biggest moments of 2024 in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in this year-end series, with one installment appearing on the site per day in countdown fashion from Dec. 22-31.

Except for about four hours and one miscue on pit road, Kyle Larson had a successful 2024 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Larson made his much-anticipated debut in the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge and went to Victory Lane for the first time in NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 presented by PPG. But the versatile driver wanted more. A double, as it is known.

On May 26, Larson had hoped to become the fifth driver to compete in both the “500” and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day. However, that bid was thwarted by rain in Indianapolis that delayed the start of the “500.” Larson arrived in Charlotte in time to jump in his Hendrick Motorsports’ Chevrolet stock car, but it was raining there, too, and he never got to drive the car in the race.

Later in the year, Larson and boss Rick Hendrick made the decision to return to Indy in 2025 for another shot at “The Double,” which they dubbed the #Hendrick1100. Larson will try again to compete in 1,100 miles and challenge for two marquee race wins on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

As for Larson’s Indy debut, it was memorable in so many ways. Driving the No. 17 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet fielded by Arrow McLaren, the Californian had a strong Month of May, getting more comfortable and faster with each on-track session. In qualifying, he earned the fifth starting position for the 108th Running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and did well enough in the 200-lap race to be named Rookie of the Year as fellow NASCAR champions Kurt Busch (2014) and Jimmie Johnson (2022) had before him.

Larson was poised to finish better than 18th had he not exceeded the speed limit on pit road during a green-flag stop on Lap 131.

Still, Hendrick said Larson and the publicity generated by the two-for-one effort led to a three-to-one return on the investment.

In 2025, Larson will become the third driver to attempt “The Double” multiple times, joining Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart. None has earned a win in either race, and only Stewart (in 2001) has completed all of the laps. Larson will again drive with Arrow McLaren, this time alongside 2024 runner-up Pato O’Ward, Christian Lundgaard and Nolan Siegel.