Little, Indy 500s provide fans with thrilling finishes

This past weekend fans were treated to two exciting races at the Unified Group Services Little 500 and the Indianapolis 500.

The weekend of racing was impacted by the sudden death of former NASCAR champion Kyle Busch.

During his career in NASCAR Busch won more races across all top three divisions than any other driver in the history of the stock car sanctioning body.

I first met Busch when he competed with the original American Speed Association for one year in 2002 with a lot of confidence and not afraid to express his opinions.

Over the years fans had a love-hate relationship with Kyle and at times he relished that relationship. Giving his customary bow after winning a race.

Busch claimed the pole position for the Redbud 400 in 2010 after winning the race at Anderson Speedway in 2009.

Busch always made time to talk to me if it was at a short track race or NASCAR events at several different venues.

It has been encouraging to see how the racing community has embraced his family after Busch’s unexpected death.

He will be remembered as a fierce competitor and in recent years has mellowed somewhat as he guided his son’s racing career.

“Kyle Busch was one of those race car drivers who could race nearly any vehicle at the top of the class,” Rick Dawson, owner of Anderson Speedway, said. “He was truly a friend to all and a great family man. His legacy will be one that is the envy if everyone in the sport.”

Both the Little 500 and Indianapolis 500 came down to the right strategy for the eventual race winners.

Kody Swanson used the right tire strategy to capture his fourth Little 500 championship by passing Davey Hamilton Jr. in the closing stages of the race.

The Little 500, always a tough race for the teams, saw several contenders taken out by incidents including Kyle O’Gara, Bobby Santos III, Jackson Macenko and Tyler Roahrig.

Swanson’s win adds his name to three other competitors at the top of the victory list including Eric Gordon, Bob Frey and Tom Cherry.

Felix Rosenqvist used the right fuel strategy and used the draft coming to the finish line to beat David Malukas in the closest finish ever in the May Classic.

The Meyer Shank team used that fuel strategy to put their driver in contention for the victory, but a late race caution made it a scramble to the finish.

Malukas, who has now finished second in the last two races, charged to the lead on the final laps, only to come up short at the end.

I’m already looking forward to both races in 2027.

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