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Report: Kurt Busch thinking about running in 100th Indianapolis 500

98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race - Practice

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 23: Kurt Busch, driver of the #26 Suretone Andretti Autosport Honda Dallara prepares to drive during final practice on Carb Day for the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 23, 2014 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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Kurt Busch has the Indy itch again. The question now is whether he’ll scratch it.

Two years after finishing sixth in his rookie – and only – appearance in the Indianapolis 500, Busch told AutoWeek’s Matt Weaver that the lure of potentially competing in May’s 100th running of the Greatest Spectacle In Racing is alluring.

“Possibly,” Busch told Weaver. “That’s especially true since it’s the 100th running. There’s a lot of sponsorship opportunities, be it Haas Automation, Chevrolet or Monster Energy.”

But like a good soldier, Busch quickly added that his day job as a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver still remains No. 1 in his mind.

“But for now, my focus is on Stewart-Haas Racing, the No. 41 car and locking ourselves into the Chase as soon as possible this season,” Busch told Weaver.

With four months remaining until what will arguably be the most celebrated 500 in decades, Busch hasn’t done much in pursuing a ride as yet.

In 2014, he drove for Andretti Autosport at Indianapolis, started 12th and finished sixth. Team owner Michael Andretti said afterward that Busch could drive for him again any time he wanted.

Although there have been no formal discussions to date, Busch may just try to take Andretti up on that offer, although it’s questionable whether Chevrolet would let him race again for a Honda-powered team as he did in 2014.

But if there’s no room with Andretti/Honda, Busch wouldn’t rule out driving for another team, but with one stipulation:

It has to be a competitive ride. It may be hard to find one at this late date, but Busch isn’t letting the idea go.

“I’ve seen some deals get put together as late as May 1,” Busch told AutoWeek. “Mine didn’t come together until March 31. There’s time to do this, but my biggest concern is the lack of competitive rides still left.”

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