Top NASCAR driver not medically cleared to race

On Saturday, Kurt Busch crashed his #45 McDonald’s Toyota during qualifying for the M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono. The NASCAR Cup Series driver’s weekend went from bad to worse as it was revealed that he isn’t medically cleared to compete in Sunday’s race. Busch will be replaced by rising star Ty Gibbs, who will be making his Cup Series debut. Ty is the grandson of longtime football coach and NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs and at 19, has already won eight Xfinity Series races.

In a quote from NASCAR, “This morning, Kurt Busch met with doctors in the infield care center for further evaluation following his accident during yesterday’s qualifying session. Following the evaluation, Kurt Busch has not been cleared to race in today’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Pocono Raceway.”

Kurt posted his own statement on Twitter saying he is still having “concussion-like symptoms” from the crash and he is following the medical team’s recommendations by sitting out this weekend. Kurt hopes to return next weekend in Indianapolis.

While rules state that drivers must compete in every regular season race in order to qualify for the Playoffs, NASCAR confirmed that Kurt will receive a medical waiver and he can compete in the playoffs as long as he remains in a playoff spot. Currently, Kurt sits 14th in points but has a win from Kansas that has him very likely safe from missing out. Kurt’s 23XI Racing teammate Bubba Wallace isn’t currently in a playoff spot as he sits 23rd in points.

[NASCAR/Kurt Busch]