Charlotte, N.C. ? Jerry Nadeau will take his time coming back to racing after a May wreck that nearly killed him. So, for now, his team is making plans to compete next season without him.

When Nadeau is cleared to race again, MB2 Motorsports said he most likely would compete in ARCA and Busch Series races. Select Nextel Cup events are also a possibility.

“I have repeatedly said that I will not rush back,” Nadeau said. “I still have a ways to go, but I will get there. To be honest, the reality of not being able to come back sooner than I would have liked is hard to take. But I want to do this right.”

Nadeau, 33, sustained head, lung and rib injuries in the May 2 accident during a practice session at Richmond International Raceway in Virginia. He spent 24 days in the hospital, another two weeks in a rehabilitation facility and has been undergoing therapy on an outpatient basis since.

Joe Nemechek will drive the No. 01 Pontiac in place of Nadeau next season in the Cup series. He’ll take over driving duties the final month of this season, replacing Mike Skinner, the latest fill-in since Nadeau’s wreck.

Nemechek owns a Busch Series car that Nadeau likely will drive when he is ready.