Kurt Busch Pulls Double Duty

Kurt Busch

Over Memorial Day weekend, Kurt Busch became the fourth driver in history to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca Cola 600 -- races held on the same day and 589 miles apart from each other. SI had behind-the-scenes access to Busch's weekend. Here are Simon Bruty's best photographs, beginning with mass with Father Grubba in Indiana. <bold><italics>Read more about Busch in this week's issue of SI.</italics></bold>

Kurt Busch

Busch suits up prior to his first ever Indy 500.

Kurt Busch

Kurt Busch loosens up for what will be a three-hour race and an average winning speed of 186.563 mph by the victorious Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Kurt Busch

Busch makes his way to the green room.

Kurt Busch

Busch jokes around with NBA owner Mark Cuban, who was on hand to wave the green flag to start the 98th running of the race.

Kurt Busch

Busch chats with Ryan Hunter-Reay and his family in the green room. Hunter-Reay would go on to become the first American to win the race since 2006, while Busch would finish a very respectable sixth.

Kurt Busch

Busch climbs into his car (No. 26) at Indy.

Kurt Busch

In the weeks before the race, the 35-year-old Busch whipped his body into top shape to handle the heat, travel and weariness brought on by the attempt. He also fine-tuned his diet.

Kurt Busch

At 1,500 pounds, the cars at Indy are much lighter and have less horsepower than the 3,500-pound stock cars in NASCAR Busch usually drives.

Kurt Busch

Busch needed about 70 laps to find his comfort level inside the snug open cockpit. Once he did, he was able to zip his way out of the high teens from the first half of the race into the top 10.

Kurt Busch

At the end of the 500, Busch stepped out of the IndyCar, raised his arms in triumph and hugged his girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll.

Kurt Busch

Busch, Driscoll and her son, Houston, being driven to the helicopter that would take him to his flight to Charlotte.

Kurt Busch

Busch heads to the first of his two helicopters rides on the day.

Kurt Busch

Busch and Driscoll acknowledge his success in the Indy 500.

Kurt Busch

Busch gets an IV and some sleep while taking a 47-minute ride on the Cessna Citation X that took him to Charlotte.

Kurt Busch

Busch deplanes in Charlotte and heads to a helicopter that would transport him to the NASCAR track.

Kurt Busch

Busch checks his watch aboard the second copter. He didn't get to Charlotte in time for the drivers meeting and had to start at the back of the 43-car field.

Kurt Busch

Busch, who changed into his NASCAR firesuit on the trip, had his blood pressure checked and intravenous fluids administered by the doctor and nurse aboard the Cessna. He drank 12 ounces of water before getting into the helicopter and another 20 ounces of liquids - including beet root juice. He ate a high potassium and high protein bar, a box of raisins and a little beef jerky.

Kurt Busch

Busch waves to the adoring crowd in Charlotte.

Kurt Busch

Father Grubba prays with Busch again, this time in Charlotte.

Kurt Busch

Busch and the Driscolls during the pledge of allegiance.

Kurt Busch

Driving his No. 41 Chevrolet, Busch was trying to become the only driver other than Tony Stewart to finish all 1,100 miles of the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day.

Kurt Busch

Unfortunately for Busch, his car experienced a blown engine, ending his attempt at Lap 271 of the scheduled 400 in Charlotte.

Kurt Busch

Busch and Driscoll embrace after his long day.

Kurt Busch

Busch's crew puts his car on the hauler. <bold><italics>Read more about Busch in this week's isue of SI.</italics></bold>