Larson not thinking about Indy “every single waking moment of my life”

The California native has been the focal point of the motorsports world since announcing his intention to run ‘The Double’ – the Indy 500 and 600-mile Cup race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day on Memorial Day Weekend – in early January of 2023.

Larson, 31, will become the fifth driver to attempt the feat, but first since Kurt Busch in 2014. John Andretti was the first to compete in the same-day marathon in 1994, followed by Robby Gordon, who tried five times, while Tony Stewart put together two bids. Stewart’s 2001 effort remains the most successful to date, finishing sixth in the Indy 500 and third in Charlotte and remains the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles.

The endeavor has ramped up Larson’s schedule – which is saying something given his reputation of competing in countless races outside of NASCAR year-round – with several test outings behind the wheel of an Indy car for Arrow McLaren, including earlier this month at Phoenix Raceway.

Even with every possible distraction surrounding the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, the mindset remains unchanged, and his eyes fixated on adding a Daytona 500 win to his sterling resume. 

“I think everybody would assume that it should be different and stressful and more unfocused, I guess,” said Larson, who will start 17^th on Sunday in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

“For me, my schedule always stays pretty hectic. I always race about 100 races a year. It really doesn’t feel much different to me at this point. I don’t think too far ahead either.

“I’ve done a shit ton of these media availabilities since last year. I think everybody assumes I should be thinking about the Indy 500 every single waking moment of my life. I’ve got way too much other stuff going on to get too far ahead of myself. 

“I really just get focused on whatever is the next thing in front of me. Right now, it’s the Daytona 500. That’s all I care about right now. Then when I get through this race, I’m racing dirt stuff next week. That’s what I’m going to care about till I get done with that. I’m going to be focused on Atlanta, as well. 

“My mind, it’s really hard for me to look more than days in front of me.” 

To that end, Larson has nearly two months before his next scheduled IndyCar outing. He will participate in an open test at Indianapolis Motor…