McLaren chief Zak Brown says the suggestion Fernando Alonso and McLaren contest this year's Indy 500 started as a joke before "accelerating" into a sensational deal for the 101st edition of the race.
On Wednesday Alonso and McLaren rocked the motorsport world by announcing its shock entry to this year's race with Honda and Andretti Autosport, meaning the Spaniard will miss the Monaco Grand Prix. The appearance will be part of Alonso's bid to complete the Triple Crown -- Indy 500 and Le Mans 24 Hours along with the Monaco Grand Prix, which he won in 2006 and 2007.