23Xi driver Kurt Busch will be absent from the NASCAR Cup Series race this coming Sunday at Richmond because he’s still suffering from brain injuries following a crash in last month qualifying.
Busch will miss his fourth consecutive race this weekend. A collision on his qualifying lap at Pocono Raceway in July saw his No. 45 Toyota spun around and backed into the wall.
He’s still not cleared by doctors to race as yet. Ty Gibbs will remain as the substitute driver for the No.45.
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“Brain injury recovery doesn’t always take a linear path. I’ve been feeling well in my recovery, but this week I pushed to get my heart rate and body in a race simulation type environment, and it’s clear I’m not ready to be back in the race car,” Busch wrote on Twitter.
“This was by far the hardest week emotionally because I do feel the progression of recovery, but racing requires an extreme physical and mental effort, and my body is not 100% able to sustain the intense race conditions.”
Busch has a waiver to hold his spot in NASCAR Cup Series playoff field should he qualify.
Team Co-Owner Denny Hamlin said Kurt Busch is working with the same doctors Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Denny Hamlin said Kurt Busch is working with the same doctors Dale Earnhardt Jr. did and is hopeful of returning at Richmond: pic.twitter.com/uvmfU06tQG
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 6, 2022
However right now Kurt Busch has fewest points among those with 1 win so if there is 17 winners he’d likely be out of the playoffs.