NASCAR announced shortly before 7:30 p.m. Saturday night at Daytona International Speedway that Kyle Busch would not compete in Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Busch was injured in a Lap 112 incident in the season-opening NASCAR XFINTY Series race, which started when Kyle Busch’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Erik Jones lost control of his No. 20 Toyota Camry on the frontstretch.
Busch slid across the grass on the frontstretch and slammed hard into the inside wall. Busch gingerly climbed from his car and immediately signaled for assistance from safety and medical personnel. Busch was placed on a stretcher and his right leg stabilized.
The Las Vegas, Nevada native was transported directly to Halifax Medical Center where a NASCAR spokesperson said he was awake and alert and undergoing further evaluation for a leg injury.
Busch’s wife, Samantha, who is about six months pregnant joined him at the hospital, alongside Joe Gibbs Racing officials including team owner Joe Gibbs and president J.D. Gibbs.
Sunday’s Daytona 500 will mark the first time a Busch has not competed in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event since the penultimate race at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway in November 2001.
Busch’s brother, Kurt was suspended indefinitely from all NASCAR activities late Friday amidst domestic violence allegations made by ex-girlfriend Patricia Discroll. NASCAR made their decision after the release of a supplemental disposition by the Family Court of the State of Delaware delineating the reasons for the court’s decision, announced Monday, to grant an order of protection to Driscoll.
With both drivers now absent from the starting grid, it will end a streak of 15 seasons where a Busch brother has competed in the Super Bowl event for NASCAR dating back to 2000.
Joe Gibbs Racing has yet to announce a replacement for “The Great American Race.”
Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed won the Alert Today Florida 300 scoring his first career victory in his 40th start. Teammate Chris Buescher was second. Ty Dillon, Austin Dillon and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top-five.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
