Kurt Busch double ends with blown engine in Coke 600

CONCORD, N.C. -- Kurt Busch's double -- an 1,100-mile odyssey that began in Indianapolis, has ended early at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Despite falling almost 200 miles short of completing the Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 on motorsports' biggest, busiest day, Kurt Busch said he'll look on Sunday's experience as "a memory I'll have forever."

Busch finished sixth in the Indianapolis 500 in his first appearance in the race, then traveled to CMS, where his run ended at lap 271 (of 400) because of engine failure.

"It was a challenge I put forth for myself. I enjoyed it. I soaked it in," Busch said in the darkness of the CMS garage area, his voice strong despite a long, difficult race day.

"We're not going to let this dampen things. There's still wind in our sails. We'll still sail on off into the sunset."

Because he missed the drivers meeting prior to the start of the 600, Busch began the race at the back of the field. He raced into the top 15 but later was slowed by a broken shock absorber and finally was stopped by the sour engine.

"We were hanging on (after the shock issue)," Busch said. "We were going to muscle it out. Then it was like the car swallowed three cylinders at once. The engine let go. Those things happen in motorsports.

"It was a good battle, though. I was hoping to do 1,100 miles today. I can't let what happened here dampen the mood on what happened up in Indy."

After almost 906 miles of competition, Busch said he felt good physically.

"My hands and feet are a little sore just from working it," he said. "But I can stand here with a smile knowing I gave it all for six months."

Busch was trying to become only the second driver to complete the double in one day. Only teammate and Stewart-Haas Racing owner Tony Stewart has done it. John Andretti and Robby Gordon also have attempted it.

PHOTOS: Kurt Busch's Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 double

Before beginning his mad dash to Charlotte, Busch at least took a moment to appreciate his impressive sixth-place finish at the Indianapolis 500.

Busch climbed out of his car and triumphantly held both hands in the air. In a chaotic postrace pit lane scene, Busch couldn't find a place to set his helmet and neck restraint device, saying to nobody in particular, "Somebody needs to do something with this."

Meanwhile, a state trooper stood nearby to help get Busch to the helipad, where he grabbed a quick helicopter flight to the airport then took a private plane, a Cessna Citation X, to Charlotte for Sunday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup race to become the latest driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte double.

"I have a job to do now," Busch said before the start of the Coca-Cola 600. "I need to ignore the 500 miles I just did. I'm ready. Am I 100 percent? We'll find out."

Busch pulled into his pit at Indy at 3:17 p.m. and landed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in a helicopter at 4:50 p.m.

Busch arrived at CMS with time to spare before the start of the 600, NASCAR's longest race. He missed the pre-race drivers meeting, as expected, and started the race at the rear of the field.

Busch, his girlfriend Patricia Driscoll and her son, Houston, walked from the helicopter to the rear of the 600 pre-race stage, where Busch sat and talked with a parade of people offering congratulations. Among those were CMS president Marcus Smith and country singer Brantley Gilbert.

"All in all, I couldn't take anything more away," Busch said of his Indy experience. "It was everything I expected. [There was] the Midwestern hospitality, the ambiance, the backyard feel, but yet the Indy 500 is a grand stage, and those people are very proud of their backyard."

A doctor and nurse accompanied Busch on the flight from Indianapolis to Concord. They checked his blood pressure shortly after he boarded the plane, and Driscoll said it was perfect.

Busch received a bag and one-half of saline through an IV, and he drank about 20 ounces of fluid that included B12 vitamin, liquid oxygen drops, potassium, sugar and beet juice.

He ate a protein bar, a box of raisins and some beef jerky before napping for 20 minutes.

To finish sixth in his first try at Indy provided a sense of accomplishment to Busch, the 2004 NASCAR champion. He saluted his Andretti Autosport team.

"I gave it my all, and I know the car was better than I was, but I'm very satisfied with a sixth place," Busch said.

And Busch walked away impressed with the drivers he was racing against.

"The top five are incredible (in) this series, on getting all they can out of their car, being able to keep it under control and being able to race for position," Busch said.

VIDEO: Kurt Busch talks about the double

Busch dropped from his 12th starting position to 18th during his opening 30-lap stint at Indianapolis, but managed to avoid trouble after starting in a backup car because of a practice crash last Monday. He was in 20th after his first pit stop.

"Physically, it took me about 70 laps to find that rhythm," Busch said. "We found ourselves a little behind at that point, and I was afraid we had to burn too much fuel to catch back up, but we put ourselves in a good position all day."

Busch drew one of the largest crowds on the starting grid. Photographers angrily jostled for position around his No. 26 Dallara-Honda as he approached the Andretti Autosport entry.

"Take three steps back! Three steps back!" yelled a team representative.

Busch received a blessing from Rev. Dale Grubba, a hug from his mom, Gaye, and a few kisses from his girlfriend, Patricia. Then he climbed into his car to begin a hectic eight-hour period.

Upon his arrival for the Coca-Cola 600, Busch seemed to be in good spirits.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "I have the energy from running the race and the adrenaline. Now I have to separate and focus on what's happening."

Contributing: Nate Ryan

Follow Jenkins on Twitter @ByChrisJenkins and Hembree on Twitter @mikehembree and Ryan on Twitter @nateryan