NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch will compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Coa 600 on Memorial Day becoming the first driver since 2004 to attempt the 1,100 mile double header.
Busch will drive one of five cars for Andretti Autosport in the 500 mile race held at the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The process was set in motion when the 35-year-old Busch completed a test day at Indianapolis last year and then passed the Rookie Orientation program.
“This is really to challenge myself within motorsports,” Busch said in a news release. “Perhaps I am a bit of an old-school racer; a throw-back I guess. I enjoyed the era of drivers racing different cars and testing themselves in other series. It is tough to do now for a variety of factors, but when the opportunity is there, I want to do it. … It’s literally a dream come true. To go to the famous Brickyard with the iconic Andretti name, it doesn’t get much cooler or better than that.”
After racing in the Indianapolis 500, Busch will fly to Charlotte where he will drive the No. 41 Chevrolet SS for his Sprint Cup Series team, Stewart-Hass Racing.
By completing the double Busch will join teammate Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon and John Andretti as drivers who have run both Memorial Day races.
“I’m really excited to have Kurt come onboard for the Indy 500,” said Andretti Autosport owner Michael Andretti. “He did a great job for us when he tested last year. He’s obviously a natural talent and we feel he is going to take to the Indy car quickly and have a competitive month with us.”
