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

Nick DeGroot

Edited: Aug 19, 2022, 10:23 AM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

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.

Read Also:

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

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

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

More from

Nick DeGroot



Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup 14 h

Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature



Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Charlotte II

Tom Cruise interested in racing ARCA car, per NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell



9/11 after 25 years: How NASCAR went back racing following September 11 attacks

Feature

NASCAR Cup

Feature

NASCAR Cup

9/11 after 25 years: How NASCAR went back racing following September 11 attacks

Latest news



Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Indonesian GP

13 min

Pedro Acosta: "I'm going to Ducati to learn from Marc Marquez, not to beat him on same bike"



Rwanda turns to F1 as it moves forward from a chequered past

Formula 1

Rwanda turns to F1 as it moves forward from a chequered past



Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 1 h

Christian Horner admits that F1 rivalry with Toto Wolff became "theatre"



Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Charlotte II

7 h

Spire, Chris Gabehart reject Joe Gibbs Racing premise on deleted texts

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:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe