It does not sound like Kurt Busch will be getting back behind the wheel in NASCAR anytime soon.
Last Saturday, Busch crashed his No. 45 car 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 wasn’t medically cleared to compete in Sunday’s race. He was replaced by Ty Gibbs, who finished 16th in his Cup Series.
A few days later, the hope was that Busch would be able to compete in this weekend’s upcoming Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, given his tweet on Wednesday, it doesn’t sound as though he’s going to be medically cleared in time.
“After undergoing further medical evaluation this week, I have not been cleared to race Indy at this time,” wrote Busch. “I remain dedicated to focusing on my recovery and getting back on the track and will continue to work closely with NASCAR’s medical team and my own team of doctors.”
Based on the tweet, it sounds like Gibbs, grandson of Joe Gibbs Racing owner Joe Gibbs, will make his second Cup Series appearance this weekend.
It’s been a pretty challenging year for the 44-year-old driver. He not only got divorced but also found out that his sponsor wasn’t going to re-up and the possibility that he’ll be without a team in the next year is very real. He’s made some comments about the possibility of retirement after this year in recent days and his ongoing medical issues certainly will play a factor in that decision.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.