Kyle Busch, who finished second in last year’s Xfinity race at Watkins Glen, won’t compete in that event this week as he continues to recover from injuries he suffered at the start of the season. Boris Said will drive Busch’s car in the Xfinity race.
Busch broke his right leg and left foot in a crash in the season-opening Xfinity race at Daytona International Speedway in February. The only road course he has run this year was at Sonoma Raceway, winning the Sprint Cup race there.
Busch was scheduled to compete in the Xfinity race at Watkins Glen this weekend but car owner Joe Gibbs said the decision was made to change his schedule.
“He feels like Watkins Glen is more of a challenge than Sonoma,’' Gibbs said.
Busch, who brakes with his left foot, said this past weekend he has good days and bad days with his injuries.
“I feel like there’s times when I get out of the car just putting weight back in my feet sometimes it hurts after race days and stuff like that,’' he said. “With Watkins Glen coming up (this) week, that’s going to be another hard one to get through. That’s going to be a tough challenge for myself and the left foot, but we’ll make it and I’m sure we’ll be okay just like Sonoma. It will be sore on Monday afterwards and we’ll continue to ice it and make it feel better.”
Busch’s absence means that the top two finishers in last year’s Xfinity race there won’t be back. Winner Marcos Ambrose left NASCAR after last season to race in Australia.
Busch enters this weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen 13 points out of a spot in the top 30 in points, which would make him eligible for the Chase. Busch has four Cup wins this season.
