Joe Gibbs has famously restricted his drivers from competing in anything other than NASCAR races over the years, with pavement Late Models being the only real consistent exception, and Busch was not going to be allowed to race at Indy because his then-boss feared the consequences of an injury. He reversed that policy this year.

Kyle Larson said he would turn his attention to the Indianapolis 500, and a second crack at racing immortality, the moment he stepped out of his car following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday.