Busch, Villeneuve get acclimated to Speedway

By Dave Lewandowski

"Go out and have fun," Andretti Autosport engineer Craig Hampson relayed to Kurt Busch mid-morning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Indeed, the Nevada native heeded the advice on the 2.5-mile oval during a special Rookie Orientation Program arranged in conjunction with his schedule that will get more hectic during May. Jacques Villeneuve, the 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner, was the other driver on the track during the day by going through a refresher course.
Busch, 35, will attempt to become the fourth driver to attempt the "double" -- competing in the 98th Indianapolis 500 and the evening stock car race in Concord, N.C., on May 25. He won the latter in 2010.
John Andretti, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart have each done it, with Stewart -- co-owner of Busch's No. 41 Sprint Cup car at Stewart Haas Racing -- becoming the first in 2001 to complete all 1,000 miles.

"This attempt is something serious," said Busch, who is scheduled to join other Indy 500 rookies May 5 at the Speedway for more laps. "It's an amazing challenge."
Busch was off to a quick start learning the Honda-powered No. 26 Suretone car, with a stiff headwind entering Turn 1 of the iconic oval.
"I want to work the bugs out and go from there," he said after his initial run.
Because he tested last May on the oval last year in an Andretti Autosport car, Busch was required to complete the second and third phases of the formal Rookie Orientation Program. In addition to demonstrating car control, placement and consistent driving pattern, the phases consist of 15 (Phases 1 and 2) and 10 laps (Phase 3) at designated speeds based on track and weather conditions.
“I think we’re going to be strong in the race and I think we’ve showed that the past couple of years,” said Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe, who made reconnaissance laps with Busch in a passenger vehicle. “He has more professional races under his belt than the rest of the field combined with as many races as NASCAR runs and I’m sure he’s going to adapt pretty quickly.”

Busch's May itinerary:
May 11 -- Opening of practice for Indianapolis 500 (day after the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway)
May 12-16 -- Practice at the Speedway, fly to North Carolina for practice May 16
May 17 -- First day of Indianapolis 500 qualifications, fly to North Carolina to qualify for All-Star race and compete in non-points race
May 18 -- Second day of Indianapolis 500 qualifications
May 19 -- Race set-up practice at the Speedway
May 20 -- In New York for media
May 23 -- Miller Lite Carb Day practice (11 a.m.-noon) at the Speedway
May 24 -- Public drivers meeting, autograph session at the Speedway; IPL 500 Festival Parade
May 25 -- Indianapolis 500 (11 a.m. ET on ABC) , fly to North Carolina for second race