Kurt Busch Has Suspension Lifted by NASCAR
After a suspension following allegations of domestic violence, NASCAR has lifted Kurt Busch's ban.
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Busch Suspension Lifted by NASCAR
Wednesday, March 11
NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell confirmed via a release on NASCAR's website that Busch has had his suspension lifted:
"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's return to full status as a NASCAR member. We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation and waive the Chase requirement. He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return.
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Jim Utter of The Charlotte Observer also noted that Busch has been granted a waiver for races missed while he was suspended.
On March 2, NBC Sports' Dustin Long provided a statement from NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications Vice President David Higdon stating Busch was taking steps to be reinstated by NASCAR and had "signed the conditions at the end of last week":
"Higdon said there is no timetable for Busch to complete his requirements for consideration to be reinstated. Until Busch does so, he’s barred from all NASCAR activity.
[...]
Higdon said NASCAR created a path to reinstatement for Busch as it has done in other cases where competitors were suspended, such as substance abuse violations.
"The outside experts, one of the things they had advised us from the beginning was no matter what actions we take … that it was very, very important for us to provide a road back," said Higdon, who did not reveal the specific terms Busch must meet. "For those who are experts in this field, specifically in domestic violence, that is critical. We did follow that advice. We’re pleased that he has indicated he will begin the program that we have laid out for him."
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Busch's Suspension Upheld Following Appeal
Saturday, Feb. 21
Tom Jensen of Fox Sports reported Busch's suspension was upheld after his appeal Saturday.
Long added that Busch's final appeal was also denied later Saturday evening.
Busch Removed from NASCAR's Shop Site
Saturday, Feb. 21
Jay Busbee of Yahoo Sports reported NASCAR's shop has removed Busch from the list of drivers.
"Just hours after NASCAR announced Busch's indefinite suspension in relation to an alleged incident of domestic violence, Busch's name had been scrubbed from the list of available drivers in NASCAR's shop.
[...]
The link to Busch's NASCAR Shop page now redirects to the main shop page.
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Busbee also notes replacement driver Regan Smith has appeared in the garage window for Stewart-Haas racing:
NASCAR Suspends Busch for Domestic Assault
Friday, Feb. 20
NASCAR.com's Zack Albert provided NASCAR's statement on the suspension:
"Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately. He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.
"
Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made. We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved."
Sports reporter Chris Myers broke the news of Busch's suspension first on Twitter:
Pete Pistone of MRN radio reported Chevrolet has also suspended its relationship with Busch at this time. Pistone later said the appeal will take place Saturday.
According to Bob Pockrass of ESPN, a Delaware family court commissioner concluded that Busch "smashed his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll's head against his motor home wall" during an incident last September.
The allegations and investigation into Busch were first reported by The Associated Press in November, via Gluck. Documents cited in the article claimed the NASCAR driver was "verbally abusive to [Driscoll] and said he wished he had a gun so that he could kill himself."
Gluck provided a statement from Driscoll:
In the Pockrass report, there is a statement written by Kent County (Delaware) family court commissioner David Jones about his findings in the case:
"The Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that, on September 26, 2014, Respondent [Busch] committed an act of domestic violence against Petitioner [Driscoll] by manually strangling her by placing his left hand on her throat, while placing his right hand on her chin and face and smashing her head into the wall of his motor home.
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Also per the Pockrass article, Jones has ordered Busch to get "evaluated by a licensed mental health professional," as well as any additional treatment that might be recommended.
Jenna Fryer of The Associated Press previously provided details on the appeal process:
Kris Johnson of NASCAR Illustrated provided comments from Kyle Busch that weighed in on the situation:
Busch's attorney, Rusty Hardin, made a statement claiming Busch "never committed an act of family violence." Hardin continued, per Pockrass:
"The evidence was un-contradicted that Ms. Driscoll committed the criminal offense of trespass when she entered his motor home at night, while he was sleeping, uninvited, without permission, and refused to leave when he repeatedly asked her to get out.
Mr. Busch's conduct was totally reasonable and legal under the circumstances. He never intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused her any injury.
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Busch's crew chief, Tony Gibson, released a statement on the decision:
NASCAR was waiting to make any disciplinary decisions regarding Busch until the court released its findings. The 36-year-old was slated to start 24th in the season-opening Daytona 500. Stewart Haas-Racing announced Smith would replace him in the race.
Busch has been racing in NASCAR since 2000, winning 25 career races and the 2004 points championship. His last victory was at the 2014 STP 500 in March 2014.
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