23XI Racing driver Kurt Busch continues to exhibit concussion like symptoms after his crash during qualifying at Pocono Raceway and has not cleared concussion protocols. As a result he will miss his third race this season when the Cup Series travels to Michigan International Speedway for the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Once again Joe Gibbs Racing Xfinity Series driver Ty Gibbs will driver the number 45 car in Busch’s absence. Gibbs has finished the race in the top 20 in his two previous races substituting for Busch.
Once Kurt Busch returns to the number 45 car, NASCAR has granted him a waiver for the missed races and he will be allowed to be a part of the playoffs provided he has not been eliminated due to more than 16 drivers make the winners list and he drops below the cut line.