NASCAR Cup Watkins Glen

Kurt Busch to miss next two races, aims for playoff return

Kurt Busch will remain sidelined for the final two races of the regular season as he continues his recovery.

Nick DeGroot

Edited: Aug 19, 2022, 10:23 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Kurt Busch, 23XI Racing, Monster Energy Toyota Camry

Busch, 44, has not been cleared to compete since a qualifying crash at Pocono on July 23rd of this year. He was experiencing concussion-like symptoms and has been fully focused on his recovery since then, missing four Cup races.

The former Cup Series champion will now miss the next two as well, ending the regular season on the sidelines. NASCAR Xfinity Series title contender Ty Gibbs will continue to sub for him in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota Camry. Gibbs has a best finish of 10th in four starts so far, coming at Michigan.

Busch released the following statement late on Thursday:

"As much as I want to be back in the car, the time is still not right. Over the last few weeks, I have focused all my efforts on getting better. And in order to fully focus my recovery on trying to be back for the playoffs, I will not be competing in the next two races at Watkins Glen and Daytona.

"This decision was not an easy one, but the right one. I need to be racing at 100%. I owe that to everyone at 23XI, all of our partners, my fellow competitors, and the fans. It's my goal to be back in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota Camry TRD to start the playoffs.

"I know Ty (Gibbs) will continue to do a great job in my absence, and I appreciate the competitiveness he's brought to the track. I continue to be incredibly grateful for all the well-wishes and support. It truly means a lot."

As long as they are not two new winners in the next two races, Busch, who has been granted a medical waiver from NASCAR, will still be in the playoffs.

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Can Harvick make it three in a row with a win at The Glen?

Next article Aric Almirola puts NASCAR retirement on hold, will return for 2023

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

Catching Larson in the NASCAR Chase has to start at track where 'I suck'

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Phoenix II

40 min

Catching Larson in the NASCAR Chase has to start at track where 'I suck'

Verstappen charges from 24th to ninth as GetSpeed wins Portimao GTWC finale

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance

WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 1 h

Verstappen charges from 24th to ninth as GetSpeed wins Portimao GTWC finale

Colton Herta “maybe underestimated the difference” from IndyCar – F2 boss

FIA F2

F2 FIA F2 5 h

Colton Herta “maybe underestimated the difference” from IndyCar – F2 boss

WEC Barcelona: Genesis secures maiden series pole from Toyota

WEC

WEC WEC

Barcelona

6 h

WEC Barcelona: Genesis secures maiden series pole from Toyota

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts