Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Kyle Busch remains hopeful of competing in Indy 500 some day

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star/Open Race - Practice

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M’s Hazelnut Toyota sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Open Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Getty Images

CONCORD, N.C. - Will Kyle Busch be the next NASCAR driver to run the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day?

Busch said he remains hopeful of he can join his brother, Kurt, as among the few drivers to do so.
“The window is probably closing but, honestly if I continue to work out and try to get in shape or stay in shape or get in better shape, then I can continue to keep that door open for longer,” Busch said Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “I’ve been doing all those things. Whether or not the opportunity is ever presented, we’ll see what happens. As of right now I don’t have any plans.”

98th Indianapolis 500 Mile Race

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 25: Kurt Busch, driver of the #26 Suretone Andretti Autosport Honda Dallara, in action during the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race at Indianapolis Motorspeedway on May 25, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Getty Images

John Andretti was the first driver to compete in both races on the same day in 1994. Robby Gordon, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch also have competed in both races on the same day.

Stewart had the best result, finishing sixth in the 2001 Indianapolis 500 and placing third at Charlotte that night.

Kurt Busch was the last driver to compete the double, doing so in 2014. He finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500 and was the rookie of the year. A blown engine ended his Charlotte race early that night.

No driver has attempted the double since.

Jimmie Johnson will attend the start of the Indianapolis 500 before returning to Charlotte to compete in the 600. Johnson was as Indy for practice Thursday.

As for what he’s looking forward to seeing at Indianapolis, Johnson said: “I want to go up and see that place packed full of people and feel the energy that I’ve heard about so many times.”

As for running in the Indy 500, which will be broadcast by NBC this year,Johnson said he has no plans.