Jeff Gordon addresses likelihood of Kyle Larson still driving in Coca-Cola 600 after Indy 500 delay

Kyle Larson and the entire Hendrick Motorsports team have a decision to make with rain delaying the start of the 108th Running of the Indy 500.

While Larson has made it clear his priority is racing in the Indy 500, Hendrick vice chairman Jeff Gordon told NBC Sports they will do everything they can to get Larson to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600, even if he runs in the 500.

“We have every intention of getting Kyle Larson to Charlotte,” Gordon said, via Danielle Trotta of MotorTrend. “We are gonna do everything we can to watch weather and play logistics game. But even if we run Indy, we wanna get him to Charlotte.”

The Indy 500 was originally scheduled to start at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET. From there, Larson would jet over to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, slated for an approximate 6 p.m. start time. As of now, there is no new official start time for the Indy 500, which could impact Larson’s chances of becoming just the fifth driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte Double.

What happens if Kyle Larson misses Coca-Cola 600?

“It’s not just my decision,” Larson said Sunday. “I think it’s everybody within Hendrick… I think we’re all part of the decision. Jeff Gordon. Jeff Andrews. There’s just been so much time and investment into this to make this Indy 500 happen and it’s been a build up for over a year.

“So, we need to run it and I want to. I feel like I’ve got a really good shot to have a good run and potentially win. So, I want to be here, but I just wish it would all work out and we could get both races in the full distance. I don’t care if it’s on the same day. I just want to be able to race both races the full distance, but we’ll see.”

Not racing in the Coca-Cola 600 does complicate matters for Larson. Per NASCAR‘s guidelines, “Unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR, driver(s) and Team Owner(s) must start all Championship Events of the current season to be eligible for The Playoffs.”

NASCAR will need to grant Larson a waiver to be eligible for the Cup Series playoffs if he misses the Coca-Cola 600.

Should Larson be unable to make the Coca-Cola 600, Xfinity Series regular Justin Allgaier will pilot the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick. Allgaier, who drives the No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, sits fifth in the Xfinity Series points standings. The 37-year-old has competed in 81 Cup Series races over the duration of his career.