DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- At least two NASCAR drivers competing in Sunday's Daytona 500 have expressed interest in running the 100th Indianapolis 500 on May 29th. For one, the goal could be closer to reality than the other.
Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne both said they've left the possibility open of racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a Memorial Day double alongside stock-car racing's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Busch attempted the feat once -- in 2014 -- finishing a commendable sixth in his first open-wheel race at the Brickyard. He said during Tuesday's NASCAR Media Day at Daytona International Speedway that he should reach a decision next month.
"We're at Daytona and we're all focused on Daytona," Busch said. "I think once we get through Atlanta and that NASCAR Goes West Tour, that will give a better indication on whether I'm going to run Indy this year."
Kahne, who has never competed in IndyCar racing, said he has discussed an Indy 500 opportunity with teams, but that attempts to reach an agreement this year have fizzled so far. The 35-year-old driver did leave open the possibility of doing the double in years ahead.
"It actually was more about the team and being in the right spot and things like that," Kahne said. "It's definitely on my radar. It's something that could happen in the future. It didn't really get off the ground, but I did some talking to see what was out there."
One driver with no interest in the Charlotte-Indianapolis double is AJ Allmendinger, who competed in the Indy 500 in 2013 and came up through the Champ Car ranks.
"No. The moment Justin Wilson passed away I said, 'Never again,' " Allmendinger said, referring to his close friend, who died in an accident last year at Pocono Raceway. "The only way I would do it is if they put in a closed cockpit over the car and tested it and they thought that was a good direction in safety then I might think about doing it again."