Memorial Day weekend has traditionally been one of the most exciting in all of motorsports. Two of the three races that make up the sport’s prestigious Triple Crown are scheduled on the weekend: the Indy 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. (The third is the 24 Hours of Le Mans.)
However, this weekend will serve as the final time the two major races overlap, at least for the foreseeable future. Formula One’s Monaco Grand Prix will be moved to the first full weekend of June starting in 2026. The move coincides with the six-year extension of F1 and the Monaco GP, which the two sides agreed upon in November.
The new schedule means the Triple Crown will take place on three consecutive weekends, as the 24 Hours of Le Mans is normally scheduled on the second full weekend in June.
Double Duty
The schedule change means that, theoretically, F1 drivers can now choose to participate in both the Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix. However, it’s highly unlikely that F1 drivers will get clearance from their teams to do both races, especially given the record 24 races on the F1 calendar this year.
The Double—when a driver races the Indy 500 in Indianapolis, then NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina—is still in play. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson is attempting it this weekend. According to NASCAR.com, Larson takes two helicopters and a private jet to travel from the Indy 500 to the Coca-Cola 600.
Larson attempted The Double last year, but was unsuccessful due to the weather. But the NASCAR driver told Front Office Sports Today on Friday that he’s “better prepared” now because last year was his first time to race at the Indy 500.
This may be the last year Larson attempts The Double as he said it was originally a “two-year plan” for him and his team. But he hasn’t completely closed the door.
“Maybe again someday, but for right now, I think this is it,” Larson said.
The Indy 500 is scheduled to start at 12:45 p.m. ET and takes about three hours, while the Coca-Cola 600 begins at 6 p.m.
