Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) – Kyle Busch has been released from Halifax
Medical Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. and transferred to a North Carolina
hospital where he will continue treatment for injuries he suffered during a
crash last Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.
Busch, 29, sustained a compound fracture of his right lower leg and a mid-foot
fracture of his left foot when he slammed head-on into the inside retaining
wall during a big multi-car accident on the frontstretch in the Xfinity race
at Daytona. He underwent surgery on his right leg just hours after the
accident occurred and remained in the Daytona Beach hospital for three days.
On Tuesday, just before noon (ET), Busch’s wife, Samantha, posted on Twitter a
photo of him on a stretcher being loaded onto a private jet at Daytona Beach
International Airport. She tweeted, “Off to NC! Thank u to everyone at Halifax
for taking such good care of Kyle n to all of U for the continued prayers!”
Officials from Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed that Busch is continuing his
treatment at a North Carolina hospital. He drives the No. 18 Toyota in the
Sprint Cup Series and the No. 54 car in the Xfinity Series for JGR.
The wall where Busch hit did not have a protective (SAFER) barrier on it.
Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood III said shortly after
Busch’s incident that the track would immediately begin installing the energy-
absorbing barriers “on every inch of this property.” NASCAR has been having
conversations with its sanctioned tracks in regards to safety measures.
All three of NASCAR’s national touring series are competing at Atlanta Motor
Speedway this weekend. Track officials there issued a statement on Tuesday in
regards to protective barriers, stating, “Following discussions (on Monday)
between Atlanta Motor Speedway and NASCAR officials and a subsequent review of
the existing SAFER barriers at the facility, AMS will add a number of
additions to its existing barrier system.
“The protective wall at the exit of pit road near turn 1 will be extended, and
a tire barrier will be added along the inside wall of turn 4 to offer
supplementary safety protection. The installations will add a total of 130
linear feet of additional protective barrier prior to this weekend’s NASCAR
events.”
JGR has no timetable for Busch’s return. Matt Crafton, the two-time defending
Camping World Truck Series champion, drove the 18 car in place of him in
Sunday’s Daytona 500, finishing 18th.
