NASCAR: Kurt Busch sets target date for Cup return

Kurt Busch is set to miss a third straight NASCAR Cup Series race this weekend, but he has his eyes set on a potential return date.

Ty Gibbs is set to be back behind the wheel of the #45 Toyota for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, again filling in for Kurt Busch at 23XI Racing. Busch was not medically cleared to resume competition ahead of the FireKeepers Casino 400.

Busch has not competed in a Cup Series race since Sunday, July 17 when the series raced at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He crashed during qualifying for the following weekend’s race at Pocono Raceway and was sidelined with concussion-like symptoms.

Gibbs, who competes full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Xfinity Series, had never sat behind the wheel of the Gen 7 car before he filled in for Busch at Pocono Raceway, where he finished in 16th place.

The 19-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native filled in for the 2004 series champion again this past Sunday afternoon at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, where he finished in 17th place.

Here is the message Busch shared on social media, following the confirmation that it would be Gibbs, not him, behind the wheel of the #45 Toyota again this weekend.

"“While I am continuing to make improvements every day and can’t wait to get back in the No. 45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry TRD, I have yet to be cleared to return to competition and will not be participating in the NASCAR Cup Series race this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.“I know Ty will continue to do a great job representing 23XI and the No. 45 Monster Energy team this weekend in Michigan.“I am working hard to get back to 100% and it’s my hope to be back in the car at Richmond Raceway. Thanks to everyone for the continued support and I look forward to being back on track soon.”"

With a return at Michigan International Speedway out of the equation, Busch is targeting the following weekend’s race at Richmond Raceway to make his return.

The Federated Auto Parts 400 is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 14.

Busch is one of 14 different winners so far this season, having won at Kansas Speedway back in mid-May, but after missing the last two races, he is the lowest ranking single-race winner in the point standings, 30 points behind Stewart-Haas Racing’s Chase Briscoe.

While he has been granted a playoff waiver, this doesn’t mean that he is guaranteed to be in the playoffs — even with his win.

There are still four races remaining in the regular season, so there can still be more than 16 different winners prior to the 16-driver postseason. If there are, then all of the multi-race winners would be locked in. But the point standings would be used to decide which single-race winners get in and which don’t.

Begin a free trial of FuboTV now, and don’t miss Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400! The 23rd race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to be broadcast live on USA Network beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET.