Kurt Busch gets comfortable in final Indy 500 practice
Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports 4:27 p.m. EDT May 23, 2014
INDIANAPOLIS Kurt Busch returned to the saddle Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Now the question becomes whether he can stay there across 1,100 miles in two race cars Sunday.
In a backup Dallara-Honda after crashing in practice Monday, Busch turned the 15th-fastest lap (224.684 mph) in the final practice for the Indianapolis 500.
"I had to get back up on my horse," Busch said. "Those guys worked tirelessly to get the car (which Marco Andretti is scheduled to run next week on a Detroit street course) put together in oval condition and progress through the day.
"That one-hour session was that old-school, happy hour thrash. It felt good to get comfortable. I'd give it a B overall."
After the practice, which was paced at 227.838 by Target Chip Ganassi Racing's Tony Kanaan, Busch met with the news media and then headed back to Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he will practice Saturday in his No. 41 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Depending on where he finishes at Indy, Busch likely will start from the rear at Charlotte. He qualified 28thThursday for the Coca-Cola 600.
"We threw our qualifying run away last night knowing we'd be starting from the back," Busch said. "We made an attempt, but it wasn't a full-fledged effort because we spent 90% of yesterday in race trim trying to make laps. (Saturday) morning practice is in cool conditions. That will simulate the end of the Coke 600."
Busch is attempting to become the fourth driver to run Indy and Charlotte in the same day, joining John Andretti, Robby Gordon and current NASCAR team owner and teammate Tony Stewart. Stewart is the only one of the three who have tried the double to complete all 1,100 miles.
"I'm the least prepared of (those) who have done the double," Busch said. "My lack of experience in IndyCar world is what makes this fun, exciting and challenging. At the end of the day, it's about giving it my best and not making a mistake Sunday.
"Stewart has been giving me information back. He asked if I needed a bulldozer to move the Turn 2 wall (where he crashed Monday). But it's great to have his experience as a driver and as an owner on the NASCAR side. I see his eyes light up every time we talk."
In a one-hour session Friday Busch turned 45 laps in his Andretti Autosport entry, ranking second behind Simon Pagenaud (48 laps).
"I was a bit anxious to get back in the car and see how I was going to feel," Busch said. "There's a lot to be said about guys when they hit the wall, they lose confidence. I didn't lose my confidence, I just needed to make sure I didn't overadjust the car when I got back in traffic.
"I settled back in once I was able to make laps. When we jumped up on the speed chart, they threw in an adjustment based off my comfort level. The team is reading me well, I'm reading them well. I need to do a better job reading the traffic."
Busch said his goal is to finish in the top half of the field Sunday.
"There is the stop and smell the roses moment, but it's getting closer to race time," he said. "I've got to be focused, got to put the blinders on. I've had enough time to smell the roses."
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