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Car owner Joe Gibbs provides update on Kyle Busch’s injuries

Alert Today Florida 300

Alert Today Florida 300

Brian Lawdermilk

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Kyle Busch is not expected to have any additional surgery on his right leg, car owner Joe Gibbs said Sunday morning.

Busch had surgery Saturday night after suffering a compound fracture of his lower right leg. He was injured when his car slammed head-first into a concrete wall inside Turn 1 during the Xfinity race at Daytona International Speedway.

Gibbs said he’s uncertain when Busch will return to racing. Track officials announced Saturday night that SAFER barriers will be installed where Busch hit and all other exposed areas.

Gibbs also said that the mid-foot fracture in Busch’s left foot will be treated when he returns to Charlotte. Gibbs said a plane is on standby for when Busch is released from Halifax Medical Center. Gibbs said Busch suffered no injuries from the knees up.

Gibbs did not say who would drive for Busch beginning next week at Atlanta. Two-time reigning Camping World Truck champion Matt Crafton will drive Busch’s car in today’s Daytona 500.

Although Busch was injured in another series, Gibbs defended Busch’s desire to drive in Xfinity and Truck races.

“He has his own race team, Trucks, loves that, wants to race that, it’s a big part of him and (wife) Sam and his future,’’ Gibbs said. “You know he’s going to be racing some Trucks. This year he cut down his schedule quite a bit there. In Kyle’s life, he has Sam and he has racing.

“At one point there in his career we did cut back quite a bit and it was one of the tougher years he had. Those conversations are obviously ones you have. I felt like in his case he just loves it so much and felt like it was something that makes him happy and keeps him excited about life. I guess you always wrestle with that. Racing is his life. That’s what he wants to do.’’

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