Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS
Kurt Busch wrecked during Monday’s practice at Indianapolis, putting him in a backup car for the open-wheel portion of his historic double this weekend.
Busch spun coming out of the second turn on the 2.5-mile oval and slammed hard into the outside wall. It was the biggest crash of the month.
Andretti Autosport said Monday night the car would not be repaired by the Indy 500 and Busch will drive teammate Marco Andretti’s backup car. Busch will still start 12th.
Debris flew into the air, there was a small fire and one of the tires rolled dangerously down the track as the car rolled to a stop on the infield grass.
But the hardest part for Busch was contemplating all the work that must be done now as he becomes the fourth driver to attempt completing the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Both races will be held Sunday.
“This created a lot of work for the Andretti guys. I feel bad for that,” he said. “As a rookie, there’s things you learn and put it up on the edge and get away with and then there’s times when it will bite you. It’s just tough.”
Busch was checked by IndyCar medical director Dr. Michael Olinger at the infield medical center and immediately cleared to drive.
Busch said he was fine and ready to return to racing Friday when the final 1-hour practice sessions will be held. Busch said it wasn’t a big deal he had to switch cars because he completed his Indy rookie orientation program earlier this month in a different Andretti Autosport car.