Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has expressed his openness to competing in the Indy 500, inviting teams interested in the opportunity to reach out to him. This announcement comes amid recent challenges faced by Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson, who has attempted the demanding task of running both the <a href="https://www.big14news.com/indycar/”>IndyCar race and <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day but has encountered misfortune during his tries.
Larson’s efforts were hindered by weather delays in 2024 and incidents involving crashes in both races in 2025. Despite these setbacks, Busch remains undeterred about trying the feat himself.
“Sure, I would do it,” Busch told IndyStar. I would give it a go, give it a whirl. I know Kyle [Larson] ran into some terrible luck with some weather, so Mother Nature wasn’t on his side, but maybe they’ll be on my side.
But my phone number is wide-open, so call me.
Busch’s Past Near Opportunities at the Indy 500
Busch’s interest in the Indy 500 is longstanding. He revealed on Denny Hamlin’s Actions Detrimental podcast earlier this year that he had come close to running in the race on two previous occasions. The first opportunity arose in 2017 but was blocked by then-employer Joe Gibbs.
More recently, Busch was again poised to compete, with a deal nearly finalized. He explained that a sponsor was lined up and engaged with McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown to secure the arrangement. However, negotiations stalled over ownership conditions required by McLaren.
And the sponsor was like, why do I wanna buy the car? I don’t need the car, I’m sponsoring Kyle, he’s gonna drive the car, I don’t wanna buy the car.
Busch clarified Brown’s reasoning behind this request, saying that owning the car was a precaution should Busch crash it during the race:
“In case he wrecks the tub, they want you to buy the tub.”
Within a short time, the opportunity closed as Larson had signed a two-year deal to take the seat Busch had hoped to occupy for one year.
I’m like, what do you mean Larson got it? And then I found out Larson signed a two-year deal, and we were only gonna do a one-year deal.
The Impact of Larson’s Setbacks and the Potential for Busch
Larson’s difficulties in completing the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 double have opened conversations around possible new challengers. Busch’s willingness to step into this role could bring fresh excitement to the motorsport event, especially given his competitive pedigree and experience in NASCAR. His public call for teams to contact him highlights a preparedness to seize an opportunity if it becomes available.
Should Busch participate in the Indy 500, it would mark a significant moment for NASCAR drivers considering crossover ventures into IndyCar disciplines. It might also prompt teams and sponsors to re-evaluate their strategies regarding driver selections for this prestigious race.
