Kyle Busch tests late model, returning early? (Update)

UPDATE Reports of Kyle Busch's return to the cockpit of his race car turned out to be premature.

Busch, who has been sidelined since a harrowing crash in the season-opening NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway in February, was rumored to be returning to the cockpit in a late model race this coming weekend.

There's only one problem: The stories about Busch's return proved to be untrue.

In fact, Busch took to Twitter to state that he won't run any races before getting back behind the wheel of his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

"I will NOT be racing this wked," Busch Tweeted Monday morning. "When I return it will be 2 my M&M's Toyota 4 JGR. OFFICIAL release will come from KBM or JGR." Foxsports.com

05/04/15 Following a 10-week absence from a race car, Kyle Busch got behind the wheel of a Late Model last week. Busch, the driver of the #18 M&Ms Toyota, has been sidelined since he sustained injuries to his foot and right leg during an accident in the XFINITY Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 21.

"We have a program for him and we're moving forward with everything – and that was part of it," team owner Joe Gibbs said of Busch's test, prior to the Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Gibbs did not recall where Busch tested his Kyle Busch Motorsports car, however, the team was expected to run at nearby Caraway Speedway, a 0.455-mile track in Asheboro, N.C. or Hickory Speedway.

Busch is expected to return to Hickory this week in a KBM Late Model. NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said he had not heard whether Busch had been medically cleared to return to competition. Busch met with the media on April 15. At the time, Busch said his doctors had not offered a timetable for his return. Erik Jones is scheduled to drive the No. 18 M&Ms Toyota next week at Kansas Speedway, but speculation is that Busch will be in the car for the All Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 16th.

During his media availability, Busch said he hoped to be eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Last month, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France told a group of sports editors that depending on when Busch returned "it was more likely than not," that the sanctioning body would attempt to "accomodate" the driver. Motorsport.com