NASCAR: 5 drivers who should attempt IndyCar races

Kyle Busch

There are two NASCAR Cup Series drivers who have been actively discussing making their actual IndyCar debuts in the very near future, and they are the only two active multi-time Cup Series champions. One of them, Jimmie Johnson, has already competed in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge. The other is Kyle Busch.

Busch has long been discussed as a potential candidate to do the Memorial Day Double, first by making his IndyCar debut in the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and then flying to Charlotte Motor Speedway to fulfill his regularly scheduled NASCAR Cup Series duties in the Coca-Cola 600 later on Memorial Day Sunday.

Busch confirmed to Beyond the Flag last month, just before the unexpected stoppage in action, that he still has aspirations of competing in the Indy 500 one day, although he had nothing lined up for this year. Even with the race moved to August, he likely won’t compete in it this year.

But now he has the opportunity to, like Johnson, make his IndyCar “debut” before actually making his IndyCar debut.

In his eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series debut at virtual Homestead-Miami Speedway, Busch struggled, but he has since committed himself to learning the ropes and has made marked improvements.

Now would be a perfect time for him to get behind the wheel of a virtual open-wheel car and try to learn the ropes there as well, before actually making his real-life debut.