"It's something I've always wanted to ask him": When Kyle Larson shared his wish to ask Kurt Busch about his Indy 500 experience
In a 2019 interview, Kyle Larson shared his thoughts about running the iconic Indy 500 race. The Hendrick Motorsports star also wanted to ask Kurt Busch about his experience in open-wheel racing.
Former Cup Series champion Busch attempted the Memorial Day Double in 2014 when he first competed in the coveted Indy 500 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway followed by the Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Busch couldn't complete the Cup Series race courtesy of an engine failure, however, he finished sixth for Andretti Motorsports in the IndyCar Series race.
Speaking to Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass in 2019, the then-Chip Ganassi Racing driver Larson spoke about his chances of running the Indy 500 and wanted to ask Busch for advice on it. He said:
"One thing I would like to ask him[Kurt Busch] just to get his opinion on it and see how tough or not tough it really is. To try and maybe help my confidence out when it comes to running that race. So yeah, that's been something I've kind of always wanted to ask him since he's ran it. Just to see how it is in dirty air, how it compares to anything that I maybe have done in my past."
The 2021 Cup Series champion attempted the 'double' in May this year. He drove the #17 Arrow McLaren in partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and managed an 18th-place finish. However, the #5 HMS Chevy driver couldn't get back to Charlotte in time and wasn't able to start the Cup Series race.
As things stand, Larson might be handed another opportunity to race in the open-wheel discipline of motorsports and perform the "Double Duty" again in 2025.
"Super grateful for the opportunity" - Kyle Larson on getting a second chance for the "unfinished business" at the Indy 500 - Coke 600 double
In September, Arrow McLaren announced Kyle Larson's return for the 2025 Indy 500 race. The HMS driver will subsequently run NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 race in Charlotte.
In a media interaction, the 32-year-old was asked about his goals and expectations for the Indy-Charlotte Double after failing to complete this year's 1100-mile race due to uncontrollable weather conditions. Larson said:
"I would say my goals would be to complete 1100 miles, get to do both. That was, you know, a really important thing for me, to get to do both races. We didn't get that chance this year unfortunately due to weather so as he said, you know, kind of felt like unfinished business and just really want to get the chance to do what the others have done, who've attempted the double." [1:46]
"So super grateful for the uh opportunity once again thank you to Mr. H and everybody at Arrow McLaren as well for getting the steel together for me and let me try and live out another dream of doing the double," Larson added.
After a dominant NASCAR run of six wins and most laps led, Kyle Larson fell out of contention after the Round of 8 race. The Elk Grove native ended the 2024 NASCAR season at P6 in the final driver's standings.