NASCAR placed Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch on indefinite suspension Friday after a Delaware family court commissioner concluded that Busch "committed an act of domestic violence" against his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll.
Busch, the driver of the No. 41 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing and 2004 champion in NASCAR's premier series, was scheduled to start 24th in Sunday's Daytona 500.
According to a decision released by Kent County (Del.) Family Court Commissioner David Jones, the court found by a "preponderance of the evidence" that Busch committed an act of domestic violence against 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" on Sept. 26, 2014 at Dover International Speedway. Sprint Cup was competing at Dover at the time.
NASCAR immediately suspended Busch when it learned of the court's opinion. The sanctioning body released a statement regarding Busch.
"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," NASCAR said in its statement. "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."
Regan Smith has reportedly been tabbed as the replacement driver for Busch in the Daytona 500.
On Monday, the court ordered Busch to maintain a distance from Driscoll and not have any contact with her. In November, Driscoll filed a domestic abuse claim against Busch. She also sought a protection order from him in court. Four days of hearings were held from December to January.
Busch is appealing the no-contact order.
[SportsNetwork.com]
