Stock car drivers in the Indy 500

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In the golden age of American racing, NASCAR drivers often came north to the Speedway to test their talents in the Indy 500. Here are a few.

 

When MCG was a little sprout back in the ’60s, one of the things that made the American motorsports scene so exciting to watch was all the cross-disciplinary racing. Driven in part by generous tire and manufacturer money, Indy car drivers raced in NASCAR, stock car drivers went to LeMans, sports car drivers entered the Indy 500—and there were even guys like Foyt, Andretti, and Gurney who could race and win anytime, anywhere.

It was a magical time to be a race fan, with plenty to talk about: rivalries, politics, bragging rights.

Because this is May, when thoughts turn toward the venerable Speedway at 16th and Georgetown, let’s take a look back at a few of the drivers who made their names in NASCAR, then stepped up and took a run at the Indianapolis 500. Gallery below.

 

5 thoughts on “Stock car drivers in the Indy 500”

  1. I can’t believe your research is so shallow to have not included Tim Richmond! Shame on you! What real Indy fan can forget the UNO Q95 Starcruiser Special? Maybe it’s because he ran the Indy 500 then went to NASCAR, but so did Tony Stewart, JPM, JJ Yeley, Jason Leffler to name a few more you missed.

    If something is worth doing, do it right!

    • This story is about NASCAR drivers who went to Indy. You have wandered off into the opposite topic, Indy drivers who went to NASCAR.

  2. Hey Jon, why all the negative attack? You didn’t understand the story premise, that’s all.

    • Maybe because I am passionate about motor racing in general, the Indy 500 in this specific case, having attended 57 of them since my first in 1953. Didn’t mean it as a “negative attack”. As for the premise, I addressed that on the FB post where I saw this article.

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