Kurt Busch passes Indy 500 Rookie Orientation Program (VIDEO)

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Yesterday, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch called his attempt to run the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 an “amazing challenge.”

Today, that challenge began at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Busch strapped into his No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda and worked through the three-phase Rookie Orientation Program that all ‘500’ first-timers must pass.

Afternoon rains curtailed the day’s proceedings at IMS, but not before “The Outlaw” had completed his ROP. He ran 66 circuits around the 2.5-mile oval, setting a fast lap of 220.844 miles per hour.

Busch’s outing drew some interested observers to the Speedway, including his Andretti teammates Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti, and James Hinchcliffe, as well as a horde of media.

“It really makes you think,” Busch said. “Overall, it was a good day just to settle in with the team and advance further than rookie orientation. It felt good to give feedback to the team from the car and have them explain things to me how we’re going to move forward.

“They continued to change downforce combinations on the car and it was just neat to feel all that and check it off the list. The last run we made was just about where they would unload for race trim.”

Busch is aiming to become the fourth driver ever to race in both the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on the same day, and the second driver to finish all 1,100 miles; his NASCAR teammate and boss, Tony Stewart, completed that feat in 2001 for Chip Ganassi Racing at the ‘500’ and Joe Gibbs Racing at the ‘600.’

Last May at Indy, Busch tested an Andretti machine, running 83 laps with a fast lap at 218.210 miles per hour. In that test, he passed a simulated version of the ROP.

But now that he’s passed the official ROP, Busch is cleared to take part in official ‘500’ practice, which begins on May 11, one day after the Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway.

He is also slated to take additional laps at Indy with the other ‘500’ rookies on May 5.

“Now that all the newness and moments of smiling and ‘this is Indy’ are wearing off, that’s when the serious hat goes on and we start to ramp up the program,” said Busch.

NTT re-signs as IndyCar title sponsor in multiyear deal starting with the 2024 season

James Black/Penske Entertainment
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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.