The event features the thrilling, wheel-to-wheel action of the USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship. Read More>
The special events will take place in April in Indianapolis, Bloomington, Evansville and Fort Wayne. Read More>
Season One of the popular docuseries looked at the buildup to the 107th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge last spring. Read More>
Josef Newgarden unveils the 2024 Indianapolis 500 Ticket View Photos>
Remembering the life and career of Gil de Ferran. View Photos>
Photos from Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2023 Indy 8 Hour. View Photos>
On this episode of Doug and Drivers, IMS President Doug Boles sits down with four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. The modern legend discusses his historic Drive for Five, his transition to an ownership role within Meyer Shank Racing, the loss of his dear friend Gil de Ferran, and more. Watch Video>
On this episode of Behind the Bricks, IMS President Doug Boles heads all the way to Arvada, Colorado, on the outskirts of Denver for a fan party at the Sonsio headquarters. To celebrate their new role as the title sponsor of the Grand Prix, Sonsio unveiled Scott McLaughlin's Sonsio car and hosted nearly 200 Denver-area Indy 500 fans! Watch Video>
On this episode of Doug and Drivers, IMS President J. Douglas Boles sits down with Graham Rahal to discuss his growing businesses off-track, as well as the gut wrenching memories of failing to qualify for the Indy 500 last year. Watch Video>
April 29, 2014 | By Verizon IndyCar Series
"Go out and have fun," Andretti Autosport engineer Craig Hampson relayed to Kurt Busch late on a sunny morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indeed, the Nevada native heeded the advice on the 2.5-mile oval during a special refresher program arranged in conjunction with his schedule that will get more hectic during May. Jacques Villeneuve, the 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner, was the other driver on the track progressing through a refresher course. Busch, 35, will attempt to become the fourth driver to attempt the "double" -- competing in the 98th Indianapolis 500 and the evening stock car race in Concord, N.C., on May 25. He won the latter in 2010. John Andretti, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart have each done it, with Stewart -- co-owner of Busch's No. 41 Sprint Cup car at Stewart Haas Racing -- becoming the first in 2001 to complete all 1,000 miles. Kurt Busch "This attempt is something serious," said Busch, who is scheduled to join other Indy 500 rookies May 5 at the Speedway for additional laps. "It's an amazing challenge." Busch was off to a quick start learning the Honda-powered No. 26 Suretone car, with a stiff headwind entering Turn 1 of the iconic oval, recording a best of 220.844 mph on 66 total laps before rain moved across Central Indiana late in the afternoon. ABC analyst and former Indy car driver Scott Goodyear said such wind direction was more beneficial than the alternative, which makes the car "feel like it's floating." "(Drivers) can handle a tailwind in Turn 3 better," he added. Because he tested last May on the oval last year in an Andretti Autosport car, Busch was required to complete the formal refresher program. In addition to demonstrating car control, placement and consistent driving pattern, the program consists of 25 laps that constitute the second and third phases of the Rookie Orientation Program at speed intervals based on track and weather conditions. “I think we’re going to be strong in the race and I think we’ve showed that the past couple of years,” said Andretti Autosport's James Hinchcliffe, who joined multiple other Verizon IndyCar Series drivers watching the first cars on the oval in 2014. “He has more professional races under his belt than the rest of the field combined with as many races as NASCAR runs and I’m sure he’s going to adapt pretty quickly.” Busch's May itinerary: May 11 -- Opening of practice for Indianapolis 500 (day after the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway) May 12-16 -- Practice at the Speedway, fly to North Carolina for practice May 16 May 17 -- First day of Indianapolis 500 qualifications, fly to North Carolina to qualify for All-Star race and compete in non-points race May 18 -- Second day of Indianapolis 500 qualifications May 19 -- Race set-up practice at the Speedway May 20 -- In New York for media May 23 -- Miller Lite Carb Day practice (11 a.m.-noon) at the Speedway May 24 -- Public drivers meeting, autograph session at the Speedway; IPL 500 Festival Parade May 25 -- Indianapolis 500 (11 a.m. ET on ABC) , fly to North Carolina for second race