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Five Motorsports Driver Crossovers That Need To Happen

By Alex Herbst

Jul 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup fans watch from the second level of seats along the front straightaway during the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup fans watch from the second level of seats along the front straightaway during the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kyle Busch from NASCAR to NHRA

One of the fastest growing brands of motorsports in the United States is NHRA drag racing. The series is seeingits biggest television growth in series history and the field has a number of rising stars with national appeal, including Courtney Force and Leah Pritchett.  But could a winning driver from stock car racing help increase that profile even more?

Kyle Busch has a history of going fast, and trying new things. The reigning Sprint Cup Series champion has raced in all three of NASCAR’s nationally touring divisions, as well as the K&N Pro Series. He also appeared in the Rolex Sports Car Series for Chip Ganassi Racing at Daytona. One of the winningest drivers in stock car history, Busch would be a prime candidate to get back outside his comfort zone and try some drag racing.

It wouldn’t be wholly unprecedented. His brother Kurt Busch made an appearance at the Gatornationals early in the 2011 NHRA season. On the flipside, NHRA drivers like Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon have raced against NASCAR drivers in the charity event Prelude to the Dream. But perhaps Kyle Busch could be the next to hit the drag strip.

There are some hurdles to the idea. Busch does have his family and health to think about, especially considering the severe leg injuries he sustained at Daytona in 2015. And while we would love to see this happen, don’t expect it in 2017, as there are no dates on the NHRA schedule that don’t conflict with NASCAR. But Busch hasn’t let anything slow him down since coming back, so he’d be a great candidate to jump into an NHRA dragster and put his speed to the test.

Next: 4. Romain Grosjean from Formula One to NASCAR

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