Kyle Larson does not think it is fair to compare the Daytona 500 and the Indianapolis 500. The reigning Cup Series champion, who has raced in both races, described them as “equally amazing” during a recent appearance on “SPEED With Harvick and Buxton.”

Larson is among a small group of drivers who have competed in both iconic events. The Hendrick Motorsports driver attempted the Double – the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day – in 2024 and 2025. Neither attempt was completed. Rain ended his 2024 bid. In 2025, crashes ended both his races early. That experience of racing in both events gave his comparison real weight when the question came up on the podcast.

When asked about the different dynamics of each series’ biggest race, Kyle Larson was careful not to rank them.

“Well, they’re different. So. I don’t think it’s fair to try to compare them, and I don’t want people to hear me describe the two of them and think that I’m making one out to be better than the other. Because I truly feel like they’re both equally amazing,” he said on the “SPEED” podcast (2:46 onwards).

Larson did, however, point to specific elements that stand out at each venue. On what makes the Indianapolis 500 feel distinct, he said:

“I will say the Indy 500… they do the drivers’ meeting on the frontstretch and there’s fans, and they give each driver a ring that has their average qualifying speed and stuff. So there’s a little bit of gifts and things that I think make the 500 special.”

On what the Daytona 500 offers in return, Kyle Larson added:

“You also get similar pageantry and prestige at this (Daytona 500) race, too. Doing the media day… is a little bit more fancy, almost here… And then Daytona is just a shorter week now. It’s not two weeks like it used to be. So, it’s not that you rush through it. It’s just the Indy 500 is like a really slow ramp-up to the race, which makes the race feel really big, where here it’s like boom, we’re straight into qualifying, duels, and then boom, the race. So it’s a quick buildup. So they’re both unique and both fun to have been able to be a part of.”

The Daytona 500 is the entry point and defining race of the NASCAR season. The Indianapolis 500 holds the same position in IndyCar. Kyle Larson has competed at the highest level of both and spoke about them from experience rather than speculation.

While Larson remains winless in both races, he has spoken openly about wanting to return to Indianapolis as a standalone effort someday.

Kyle Larson on how Daytona 500 has changed for him and where things stand now

For all the reverence Kyle Larson has for both events, his record at Daytona has not matched his standing in the sport. In 13 attempts at the Daytona 500, the two-time Cup Series champions remain winless. He has started from the front row twice but has been rarely competitive.

When asked how age and experience manage expectations and avoid putting too much pressure, Larson reflected on how his approach has shifted, saying:

“I don’t think I’ve ever put too much pressure on myself, but I think I’m more focused on the race now. I think the first year, especially the first couple of years, it’s a bit overwhelming to see this many fans. When you do the catwalk and all that, it’s craziness, on pit road, and all.” (4:11 onwards)

“That was a little bit more distracting back then. Where(as) now it’s like you can just kind of keep your blinders on and stay more focused, and when you get in the car, you’re kind of ready to switch on and go. So yeah, I think that comes with probably the age and experience,” he added.

In 2026, Kyle Larson finished 16th in the Daytona 500, another mediocre result on a track where his numbers have never matched his ability. The 2026 season has not fully taken off either. He has four top-10s in the five races that followed and sits ninth, 147 points off the top.