Allgaier “the lucky one” as Larson’s standby driver for Coke 600

What contribution Allgaier ultimately makes remains up in the air as it will be dictated by weather conditions in Indianapolis on Sunday.

Larson, the fifth driver to attempt to run both marquee events on the same day, will be at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday for NASCAR Cup practice and qualifying.

That’s leaves Allgaier’s final opportunity as a fill-in for Larson in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet is if Larson is unable to make it to Charlotte when the Coke 600 gets underway shortly after 6 p.m. ET on Sunday. 

“Obviously, their goal is that they won’t need me,” Allgaier said. “It’s been really, really cool to see the kind of preparation that they have and where they’re at with everything.

“How cool it is that what Kyle is trying to accomplish this weekend, right? I’ve been a huge fan of guys trying to double in the past, whether it be Tony [Stewart] or John Andretti or Robby [Gordon].

“I’ve sat through the meetings and tried to understand their thought process on how they’re going to accomplish everything. If I know one thing with Hendrick Motorsports is that every ‘I’ is dotted, and every ‘T’ is crossed usually, and this week has been no different than that.”

Weather dilemma 

As of Friday afternoon, the most likely scenario for the weekend is an unexpected one.

The forecast for Sunday at Indianapolis looks bleak, with an 80 percent chance of rain most of the day (the track does not have lights). The Coke 600 at Charlotte has no such issues. That leaves a real possibility Larson could indeed still run both races but on separate days.

Allgaier, though, could still play a role.

If Larson’s involvement in the 500 runs long – perhaps becomes of a delayed start due to weather – Allgaier would start the 600 in the No. 5.

If so, the Xfinity veteran has plenty of Cup experience, both on the track, and with Hendrick Motorsports, as team owner Rick Hendrick is part-owner of JRM.

Allgaier, 37, has made 81 Cup starts in his career, with one top-10 finish. He’s made four starts on the oval track at Charlotte, two of which came in the 600.

Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports, Jarrett Logistics Chevrolet Camaro

Photo by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

With Larson able to participate in Saturday’s practice and qualifying that leaves…