Good morning from Sonoma

Kurt Busch talked a little about the Indy 500 yesterday

It's a few minutes after 7 a.m. here at Sonoma Raceway. It’s a slightly breezy low-60 degree morning with the sun beginning to peak through the clouds. Temperatures are expected to rise to the high 70s by race time. And there is 0% chance for rain during today's race.

In other words, it's your run of the mill glorious day here in California's picturesque wine country.

I haven't unearthed any pearls of information as yet. Only a few minutes ago was the gate to the garage even opened to the teams. One item from my notepad from yesterday is I asked Kurt Busch, driver of the #41 Haas Automation Chevrolet if he had plans to do the Indianapolis 500 again.

Busch, of course ran the 2014 Indy 500 for Andretti Autosport, finishing an impressive sixth and winning rookie of the year honors.

As you might expect, the 2004 Sprint Cup Series champion was rather non-committal, and spoke in some generalities. He talked about how his focus currently "is on the #41 Haas Automation Chevy." He also noted that such efforts are "all about timing," and while he didn't say this specifically, timing wasn't exactly ideal this year. Remember, Busch was suspended by NASCAR earlier in the season amidst a Delaware court ordering a restraining order due to domestic violence allegations from former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll. No charges were ever filed and Busch was reinstated by NASCAR for the season's fourth race at Las Vegas. He has won twice in 2015, and currently sits 12th in the standings.

Kurt Busch practicing for the 2014 Indy 500

While the timing may not have been ideal in 2015, Busch did speak somewhat glowingly about the experience of working with Andretti Autosport in 2014, which he said exceeded any of his expectations. He also told me something I found quite interesting when he said the most enjoyable part of the Indy 500 was putting the details of the deal together. He talked about how much fun it "working behind-the-scenes," to make that whole thing happen.

It's hard to say whether Busch will make another go at the Indianapolis 500. But it seemed clear talking to him that he has nothing but good memories from May 2014.

For the immediate future, Busch seems pretty relaxed and confident right now. When another media member asked him about his team, he didn't say the simple "things are going well, the guys are working hard." He noted that the chemistry with crew chief Tony Gibson and the #41 team felt similar to what he had with Jimmy Fennig. Fennig of course was Busch's crew chief when he won the then-Nextel Cup in 2004.

That is all for now. I'm off to get breakfast

Brian C. reporting from Sonoma Raceway