Kurt Busch To Miss Fourth Straight Race Due To Ongoing Concussion Symptoms

Kurt Busch NASCAR
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Looks like Kurt Busch will be sitting out for a fourth straight week, missing this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Richmond Raceway, as concussion symptoms still appear to plague him.

According to NASCAR, the concussion symptoms still stem from the crash during qualifying a Pocono Raceway on July 23rd.

His team, 23XI, noted that the 44-year-old has yet to pass medical clearance to get back on the racetrack for this Sunday’s Federated Auto Parts 400.

He released the following statement on his condition:

“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 that I’m not ready to be back in the race car.

“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.

“I am making progress and pushing hard each day. I am encouraged by my team of doctors, and we will continue to do everything it takes to get me to 100% to return to competition.

Thanks to everyone for the continued support and best of luck to the 45 team and Ty this weekend in Richmond.”

Ty Gibbs from the Xfinity Series will fill in again for Busch in the number 45 Camry, as he replaced the famed driver the last three races.

His best finish in the Cup Series is 10th, which came last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Gibbs is the 19-year-old grandson of Joe Gibbs.

NASCAR officials noted that Busch, who is a two-time winner at Richmond, had received a waiver that will allow him to compete in the playoffs regardless of the time he missed, if all other criteria for making the playoffs is met.

Busch won his first and only Cup Series event of the season at Kansas Speedway back in May, as it’s his first time racing for 23XI, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. The win also has him in a playoff position as of right now, however, if more than 16 drivers win (with 3 races to go), Busch could be the first man out.

He has 34 wins in 776 Cup Series appearances, and secured the series championship back in 2004.

That being said, the 45 car is gonna look SLICK this weekend at Richmond:

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