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Kyle Busch says he was 'very close' to running Indianapolis 500 in recent years
NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch. Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Kyle Busch says he was 'very close' to running Indianapolis 500 in recent years

Kyle Busch is undoubtedly one of the best race drivers of the 21st century, but one accomplishment noticeably missing from his career is a start in the Indianapolis 500. 

According to Busch, making a start at the Indy 500 in recent years was a possibility, but a deal never fully came together. 

"Certainly have had some opportunities, been very, very close in the past," Busch said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Monday regarding an Indy 500 start. "Back in 2017 and then again these last couple years before (Kyle) Larson got to go, (I) had a deal that was right on the table (and) ready to happen, but wasn't able to get it all the way through."

 "I have seen the issues of what Larson had the last couple years with the weather," Busch continued. "That definitely does not seem fun. Seems like a lot of anxiety for not a lot of payoff. But anything's possible. I certainly wouldn't throw it out. Whether or not I do it post my Cup Series career just to go do it - I wouldn't say you're going to be the youngest dog out there." 

Kyle's brother, 2004 Cup Series champion Kurt Busch, did partake in the Indy-Charlotte 'Double' in 2014. Kurt Busch finished sixth in his lone Indy 500 attempt and could be available to offer his brother some advice if Kyle ever were to compete in the race.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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