Kurt Busch - IMS pre-race spotlight

KURT BUSCH FOCUSED ON INDY AFTER FUN VISIT TO F1 PADDOCK

INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Aug. 1, 2005 -- Reigning NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series champion Kurt Busch attended the Hungarian Grand Prix on the weekend before heading to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Aug. 7.

Like the rest of the NEXTEL Cup drivers, Busch wants to win at Indianapolis.

"It is a big trophy," he said in Hungary. "Every driver wants to kiss the bricks."

Busch spent time in the F1 garages at the Hungaroring, including chatting with 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran, now sporting director of Lucky Strike BAR Honda.

"I was just talking to Gil de Ferran; what a champion he is," Busch said. "The amount of quality drivers you see come through this walk of life (F1) is amazing, and I am here to say hello."

This was Busch's second trip to Europe to attend a F1 race. He also went to the 2003 European Grand Prix at Germany's Nurburgring.

"I'm intrigued by this sport, on how it looks and how the people operate, and just the excitement," Busch said. "It is so different for me (compared to NASCAR). It is my only off weekend, and here I am at a racetrack halfway around the world."

"I am just beyond belief when I look at them," Busch said of the F1 cars. "The technology, the amount of money they pour into them. It's quite the show. I'd love to have the opportunity to try and drive one."

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Allstate 400 at the Brickyard tickets: Tickets for the 12th annual Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Aug. 7 are on sale.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com or by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area. Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office.

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