After two days of
testing the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup car this
week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kurt Busch left the track knowing that
he will get more seat time at the Brickyard before the Crown Royal presents the
"Your Hero's Name Here" 400 in July.
But this time, the
additional seat time will be behind the wheel an IZOD IndyCar Series car.
2004 Sprint Cup Series
champion Busch will test a Chevrolet-powered Andretti Autosport Indy car
Thursday morning, May 9, just two days before IMS officially opens for practice
for the 97th running of the Indianapolis 500. Andretti Autosport team owner and
IMS legend Michael Andretti will be on hand to provide driver coaching and
assist in getting Busch up to speed quickly.
"I have always
enjoyed racing at Indianapolis, and when IMS and Michael presented me with the
opportunity to test an Indy car prior to opening day of practice of the
Indianapolis 500, I jumped at it," Busch said. "The Indianapolis 500
is an iconic event and having an opportunity to go through the testing process
with Michael and Andretti Autosport, the defending series champions and
two-time winners of the race, is pretty cool."
Said Andretti: "I
had the chance to get to know Kurt last year when we were working on another
racing project. I respect his talent and am happy to give him the opportunity
to experience the raw speed of an Indy car. It's a unique feel and perspective
- it will be totally different than what he is used to driving each week on the
Cup circuit."
Busch left open the door
to compete in "The Double" - racing in the Indianapolis 500 and
Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on the same day - in the future.
"I am looking
forward to this test and experiencing IMS at the speeds the Indy cars
run," Busch said. "Let's see how the test goes, and then I can look
at the opportunities that could be beyond this coming Thursday. Running the
Indianapolis 500 would certainly be a highlight, and doing another 600 miles in
a Cup car on the same day would make for a special weekend."
Only three drivers have
attempted the Memorial Day weekend "Double" - John Andretti, Tony
Stewart and Robby Gordon.
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