Kyle Busch’s Indy 500 future plans have sparked renewed interest after the NASCAR champion spoke openly about his long-held desire to compete in the iconic race. Following years of near misses and sidelined opportunities, Busch is weighing whether to make his Indianapolis 500 debut before or after stepping away from his full-time NASCAR career.
Kyle Busch’s Persistent Ambition to Enter the Indy 500
The legacy of drivers like Jack Hewitt, who made his Indianapolis 500 debut at nearly 47, and Al Unser Sr., who claimed victory just shy of his 48th birthday, highlights that age is no barrier in motorsports for those still hungry for triumph. Kyle Busch now eyes the chance to join this distinguished group as he continues chasing a personal aspiration to join the starting grid at The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.
Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, has been on the verge of a starting spot in the Indianapolis 500 on multiple occasions. In 2017, with sponsorship and a strong drive to test his abilities in open-wheel competition, the opportunity seemed ready. However, his then-team owner Joe Gibbs made the decision to withhold him from the event. Later, as cross-series moves became more visible, particularly with Kyle Larson’s entry to the discipline, another window seemed to open but the stars did not align for Busch.
Despite the frustrations and repeated setbacks, Busch has made it clear his desire to race at Indianapolis remains undiminished. Addressing his fans on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, he confirmed that taking part in the Indy 500 remains a top priority on his career checklist, though the timing—either before or after his NASCAR retirement—remains unresolved.
“I have seen the issues that Larson had the last couple of years with the weather. That definitely does not seem fun. It seems like a lot of anxiety for not a lot of payoff. Anything is possible. I certainly wouldn’t throw it out. Whether or not I do it, post my Cup Series career just to go do it, just to go run it.”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
Competition with Kyle Larson and Team Decisions Affecting Busch’s Prospects
The allure of having a Cup Series champion race at Indianapolis delivers significant attention for both IndyCar and NASCAR. Yet, recent performance trends have caused teams to favor Kyle Larson over Busch for recent openings. This was evident when Arrow McLaren and Rick Hendrick chose Larson, leaving Busch on standby despite his enthusiasm and readiness.
Richard Childress, Busch’s current team owner, has engaged in discussions about entering the Indianapolis 500 as recently as 2023 and 2024. However, with team preferences aligning toward Larson, Busch’s phone call has yet to arrive, leaving his hopes in limbo.
“I wouldn’t say I have given up on it, but the phone hasn’t been ringing. I think Larson has got the seat I was supposed to get for the last two years.”
—Kyle Busch, NASCAR Driver
Timing and Future beyond Active NASCAR Competition
Now at age 40, Busch acknowledges that opportunities to attempt the demanding “Double”—racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in a single day—become less likely with each passing year. Physical endurance, scheduling conflicts, and team decisions all factor into the difficulty of achieving this motorsports feat.
Although waiting until retirement to pursue the Indy 500 could simplify Busch’s Cup Series commitment, it also brings uncertainty. Future opportunities may not materialize, and sponsors or open slots could be even harder to secure. Still, his determination means the Indianapolis 500 remains the ultimate item on his competitive to-do list.
With legends like Al Unser Sr. and Jack Hewitt proving that age is no deterrent for those with true racing ambition, Kyle Busch’s ongoing Indy 500 dreams stand as a testament to his competitive spirit. The motorsports world now watches to see if “Rowdy” will finally check off this long-awaited goal.
