NASCAR: Kurt Busch announcement produces major playoff change

Kurt Busch will not be one of the 16 NASCAR Cup Series playoff drivers, despite winning at Kansas Speedway back in mid-May.

23XI Racing’s Kurt Busch has been sidelined from NASCAR Cup Series competition ever since his qualifying crash at Pocono Raceway last month left him with concussion-like symptoms.

Ty Gibbs has filled in for him behind the wheel of the #45 Toyota in each of the last five races, and he is set to do so again for this Saturday night’s regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway.

Despite the fact that Busch won the race at Kansas Speedway back in mid-May, was locked into the top 30 in the point standings even with his multiple missed starts, was granted a playoff waiver, and was locked into the playoffs since there could no longer be more than 16 winners, he will not be one of the 16 playoff drivers.

Kurt Busch and 23XI Racing requested that this waiver be withdrawn, as the 44-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native will not be ready to return for the playoffs.

The four-round, 10-race postseason is scheduled to begin on Sunday, September 4 with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Busch had made nine consecutive playoff appearances going back to 2013.

As a result, there are now two playoff spots open, not just one, heading into Saturday night’s 160-lap Coke Zero Sugar 400 at the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked Daytona Beach, Florida oval.

Before Busch’s announced, Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney occupied the 16th and final spot as the only driver slated to qualify on points (behind the 15 winners).

Sitting 25 points behind him in 17th, the first spot below the cut line, as the only other non-winner who could possibly lock in on points (with 60 points on the table at Daytona) was Joe Gibbs Racing’s Martin Truex Jr.

In the event of a new winner (other than Blaney or Truex), neither driver would have qualified for the playoffs.

Even with Busch out, neither is technically locked in yet. However, there is no longer a scenario where both end up out.

Blaney now occupies the 15th spot (behind the 14 winners other than Busch) with Truex also above the cut line in 16th.

If a new winner locks himself in, the driver (Blaney or Truex) who finishes higher in points would lock in as well, while the lower of the two would be out.

If there isn’t a new winner, both drivers would lock in.

Interestingly, if Blaney wins and locks himself in, Truex would then lock in on points, as no other non-winner can pass him in the standings. If Truex wins and locks himself in, Blaney would then lock in on points for the same reason.

It is worth noting that the 13 drivers in must-win situations are all still in must-win situations; nothing has changed in that regard for any of them, as none of them can qualify for the playoffs on points.

NBC is set to broadcast the Coke Zero Sugar 400 live from Daytona International Speedway beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET this Saturday, August 27. Start a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series regular season finale!