More NASCAR drivers looking at the Indy 500 in the future?

[rustyfan]

The IndyStar posted an interesting article a few days ago;

Earnhardt at Indy 500? He hopes so
Star report
June 5, 2004

Add Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the list of NASCAR drivers who might someday compete in the Indianapolis 500.

Earnhardt has driven in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona sports-car race and that has piqued his interest in other forms of racing. He told the Daytona Beach News Journal this week that Indy and the 24 Hours of LeMans (France) are high on his list to try.

"There are a couple of goals I set for myself, before I retired, that I drove in the LeMans and I drove in the Indy 500. But that's before I retire and quit driving for good," he said. "There's plenty of time."

Robby Gordon was the only NASCAR driver in this year's Indy 500. John Andretti and Tony Stewart, a close friend of Earnhardt's and his teammate in this year's 24 Hours of Daytona, have done it in the past. Stewart considered trying to qualify for the 500 on bump day and vowed to make a serious effort in 2005.

Ryan Newman, Casey Mears and Kasey Kahne, all with open-wheel backgrounds, also have said they would like to give Indy a try at some point. According to Earnhardt, there are others who harbor such desires.

"There are drivers coming into NASCAR that would love to drive an Indy 500, but they'll never get the chance because nobody would think to put them in a car," he said. "But if I went up to a prominent car owner, they might really consider it just because of the name thing. I'm going to take advantage of it if I can."

The more the merrier I say - bring 'em on (whenever they fancy a go at the '500)!