Kurt Busch ruled out for Indy, Ty Gibbs to sub once again

DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 07: Kurt Busch, driver of the #45 McDonald's Throwback Toyota, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 07, 2022 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Spread the love

A week after finishing 16th in his Cup series debut at Pocono Raceway, Ty Gibbs will get another chance this weekend on the road course at Indy.

Gibbs will once again sub for Kurt Busch who wasn’t cleared to race last weekend after a crash during qualifying on Saturday.

Sunday morning at Pocono, NASCAR released a statement saying Busch had met with doctors in the infield care center that morning and had not been cleared to race. 23XI Racing then confirmed that Gibbs would replace Busch.

Wednesday the team announced Busch had further medical evaluations and not been cleared to race and that Gibbs will once again race the No. 45 Toyota.

Ty Gibbs ‘very thankful’ after top-20 finish in his unexpected Cup debut at Pocono

“Kurt’s health is of the utmost importance to the team, and we wish him all the best as he prepares for his return,” the team said in a statement.

“I remain dedicated to focusing on my recovery and getting back on track,” Busch said in a statement adding that he, “will continue to work closely with NASCAR’s medical team and my own team of doctors.”

Gibbs started in the back of the field Sunday and raced his way to a respectable 18th place finish. After the top 2 cars were disqualified Gibb’s final spot was scored in 16th.

“I think the goals are the same as last week,” Gibbs said in statement. “Just to complete the race and learn all we can.”

Busch will once again undergo an evaluation before the August 7 race at Michigan. He came into Pocono 14th in the point standings and has a provisional playoff entry thanks to his win at Kansas Speedway in May. NASCAR confirmed last Sunday that he will get a playoff waiver if he qualifies for the postseason.

LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 24: Ty Gibbs, driver of the #45 McDonald’s Toyota, poses with Monster Energy models on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series M&M’s Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 24, 2022 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Greg Engle