Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch has received medical clearance to return to on-track activity beginning with Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the #18 M&Ms Red Nose Toyota. Busch was injured during an accident in the season-opening NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway on February 21 causing him to miss the first 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races of the season.(Joe Gibbs Racing). Busch tweeted a video ending with “I’m Back”.(5-12-2015)
UPDATE: on Tuesday, May 12th, the was a Joe Gibbs Teleconference with Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 M&M Red Nose Day Toyota. Busch made a few comments then held a Q&A, answering questions about his health, the Chase, safety, testing and more, a few highlights:
Busch started off: “I was cleared to get out of the boot a couple weeks ago, and was cleared to test my late model. That test went really well. I was able to come back again and test again last week at Hickory. My medical team was there with me and then declared I was cleared to get back in the car again for the All-Star Race in the Sprint Cup Series. I think it’s a great race to come back to. For one it’s shorter. It’s a non-points event. There’s mandatory cautions after every 25 laps and whatnot, so it gives you an opportunity to take a breather, take a rest, whatever it may be.”
Q. Kyle, how is your race shape, your conditioning in general? You mentioned this is a shorter race, that it gives you the opportunity to take breaks. Do you feel you will need them?
KYLE BUSCH: No, I don’t believe that’s the reason. I think as far as my physical shape as to working out and whatnot, I’ve been doing therapy and whatnot three, sometimes four, five days a week. I feel like I’m well ready to go, that the cardio aspect is there, and the physical aspect of it is all there. I don’t foresee there being any setbacks in that regard.
Q. Have you heard anything from NASCAR on whether or not they will make you eligible to compete in the Chase should you qualify?
KYLE BUSCH: I know there’s been some good dialogue on the subject, but I’m not aware that there’s been a decision made at this point. As I mentioned last month, I’d love to race for a win and a spot in the Chase. I think the top 30 rule makes a lot of sense. But for me, in my mind, it was intended for someone in my situation that has a car, sponsor and team that was set to run the entire year for a championship. I think it was set up to keep guys from being able to grab a win at a road course or restrictor plate track or something like that.
Q. There’s no pain or anything like that associated like when you put a lot of pressure on the pedals?
KYLE BUSCH: No, No. I’ve not had that. The pedal pressure is somewhat around the same as to when I’m doing leg presses and stuff like that in therapy. All of that feels real relative. Yeah, I mean, there’s probably some soreness there, but I wouldn’t call it pain. It’s definitely not 100% cleared up yet. But I’m not so sure that other drivers haven’t raced in worse pain than I have over the years.
Q. Kyle, is there a chance you’d get out in the All-Star Race, decide it was more than you thought it was, not continue throughout the season? Or are you fully committed and feeling you’re confident and be able to move forward?
KYLE BUSCH: I mean, my plan is to obviously get in the car and to do all on-track activity each weekend. I’ll admit we’ll have Erik Jones on standby in case anything happens or in case I have any issues that I need to come out during any event. That’s just a precautionary thing. I plan to be in the entire time.
Q. Specifically what day were you cleared by NASCAR’s medical staff being able to come back?
KYLE BUSCH: I was cleared by NASCAR’s medical team the same day I sent in my letter for them to review to release me. So that was just yesterday.
See the full transcript on the Kyle Busch Press Conference Transcript page.(5-12-2015)
