NASCAR: Ty Gibbs subbing for Kurt Busch again at IMS

After last weekend’s crash at Pocono Raceway, Kurt Busch will miss his second consecutive race this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course.

Ty Gibbs will once again fill in by driving the #45 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing.

Little 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)

Busch’s crash in Saturday’s qualifying session at Pocono left him with concussion-like symptoms that prevented him from being medically cleared to compete. After being evaluated before Sunday’s Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, Busch was not cleared to participate in this weekend’s events.

“Following medical evaluations after his wreck at Pocono Raceway last Saturday, Kurt Busch has not been cleared by the NASCAR medical team to return to competition this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course. Ty Gibbs will once again fill in for Kurt in the #45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry TRD,” began the team. “Kurt’s health is of the utmost importance to the team, and we wish him all the best as he prepares for his return. Kurt has been granted a medical waiver from NASCAR and remains eligible for the playoffs. The team will not be making any further comments about the matter at this time.”

Busch enters Sunday’s race 17th in the current points standings (was 14th before Pocono), but 12th in the playoff rankings after his win in May at Kansas Speedway.

Gibbs, currently a top contender for the Xfinity Series championship, finished 16th in his Cup Series debut at Pocono.

Competition officials announced that Busch will be granted a postseason waiver upon his return, if he meets all other criteria for Cup Series Playoffs eligibility.