NASCAR: Kurt Busch out, replacement confirmed for Richmond

Ty Gibbs is set to replace Kurt Busch at 23XI Racing once again, this time in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

While his target return date was set for this Sunday, 23XI Racing’s Kurt Busch is set to miss a fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series race following his qualifying crash at Pocono Raceway three weekends ago.

Busch confirmed on Wednesday that he is set to miss this Sunday afternoon’s race at Richmond Raceway.

Ty Gibbs set to replace him behind the wheel of the #45 Toyota for this 400-lap Federated Auto Parts 400 at the four-turn, 0.75-mile (1.207-kilometer) Richmond, Virginia oval, just as he has done in each of the last three weeks.

Gibbs finished in 16th place in his Cup Series debut at Pocono Raceway before finishing in 17th in his road course debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 10th at Michigan International Speedway.

The 19-year-old Charlotte, North Carolina native won the Xfinity Series race at Richmond Raceway back in early April.

As for Busch, he has already been granted a playoff waiver, but that doesn’t guarantee him a spot in the playoffs; it simply assures that his missed starts don’t count against his playoff eligibility.

While he did win the race at Kansas Speedway back in mid-May, there is still a chance that there could be more than 16 different regular season winners.

There are three races remaining on the regular season schedule, and there have already been 15 different winners. Six drivers have won more than once and thus have locked themselves into the playoffs, while nine drivers have only won once. If there are more than 16 winners, points determine which single-race winners qualify for the playoffs and which don’t.

Right now, Busch is the lowest placed single-race winner in 20th place in the point standings, and he trails the next lowest single-race winner (Team Penske rookie Austin Cindric) by four positions and 46 points.

The Federated Auto Parts 400 is set to be broadcast live on USA Network from Richmond Raceway beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET this Sunday, August 14. Begin a free trial of FuboTV if you have not already done so!