History of the Double

05.09.2014

In every sport, there are those few individuals who push harder than everyone else, the extreme athletes who stop at nothing to achieve their goals. This year, State sponsored race car driver Kurt Busch will push himself further than ever before racing in the highly anticipated, IndyCar/NASCAR “Double.”

In honor of this feat, which includes racing in the IndyCar Indianapolis 500 followed by NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 all in the same day, let’s dive a little deeper into this event’s history, shall we?

The Memorial Day “Double” races have been held as a same-day event since 1974. However, the races were held close to the same time, making it impossible for any drivers to “cross over.” When Charlotte Motor Speedway became the first track in the country to install lights in 1992, night racing was introduced on the scene. After that, it didn’t take long for the idea to sprout that just maybe a driver could compete in both the Memorial Day weekend IndyCar and NASCAR races.

Two years later in 1994, IndyCar veteran John Andretti was the first to attempt the “Double” after he’d made the switch to racing full-time in NASCAR’s then-titled Winston Cup Series. He finished 10th at Indy and 36th at Charlotte, due to engine failure.

In 1997, Robby Gordon took his first shot at the “Double,” but was thwarted by the rain at Indy. He would try his hand at it again in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Gordon’s final attempt in 2004 was the last time any driver competed in both races.

Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart made his first turn racing the “Double” in 1999. He followed up with a second attempt in 2001, becoming the first and only driver to date to finish all 1,100 miles in the same day.

After careful consideration, Kurt Busch announced on March 4, 2014, that he will be the fourth person to ever attempt the “Double.” He will rely on a meticulously choreographed travel plan that includes helicopters and a private jet in order to make the green flag at Charlotte, making the schedule tight and the stakes high.

Don’t miss a minute of the “Double” action on May 25, starting with the Verizon Indy 500 at 12 p.m. ET on ABC, followed by the NASCAR Sprint Cup Coca-Cola 600 at 6 p.m. ET on FOX.

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