NASCAR announced on Wednesday that Kurt Busch's indefinite suspension has been lifted, effective immediately, allowing him to compete in this weekend's Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
According to a news release from NASCAR, Busch is eligible to return to racing under indefinite probation subject to additional mandatory requirements that include but are not limited to participation in a treatment program and full compliance with any judicial requirements placed upon him.
NASCAR placed Busch, the driver of the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet and 2004 Cup Series champion, on suspension Feb. 20, two days before the Daytona 500, when it learned that a Delaware judge had concluded that Busch "more than likely not" committed an act of domestic violence against his ex- girlfriend Patricia Driscoll in his motorhome at Dover International Speedway last September.
Earlier this month, Busch agreed to NASCAR's terms and conditions for reinstatement. The sanctioning body had said there was no timetable in place for his potential return to competition, and it did not reveal the terms and conditions for his reinstatement.
NASCAR's decision to lift Busch's suspension was made when he "complied with all requirements in its reinstatement program, completed the mandatory behavioral assessment sessions and the behavioral health care expert who conducted the sessions recommended to NASCAR that Kurt Busch be allowed to return to competition."
NASCAR noted that Busch will now undergo additional steps to address the behavior for which he was penalized (indefinite suspension).
Furthermore, NASCAR has made Busch eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, if he were to win any one of the remaining 23 regular season races or accumulate enough points to earn a spot in the 16-driver playoff field.
In regards to Busch's eligibility for the Chase, NASCAR said, "The requirement that a driver must compete in all championship events of the current season to be eligible for The Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup has been waived for the period of Kurt Busch's suspension. Assuming he returns to NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, Kurt Busch would have zero championship points to date after missing the Daytona 500 and the two most recent NASCAR Sprint Cup races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway."
Last week's decision by the Delaware Attorney General to not file criminal charges against Busch for an alleged incident of domestic violence also factored in NASCAR's determination to reinstate him. The attorney general cited a lack of sufficient evidence in the case involving Busch.
"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," NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O'Donnell said in a statement. "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.
"We have made it very clear to Kurt Busch our expectations for him moving forward, which includes participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior."
Busch is looking forward to his return to racing at Phoenix. He also continues to maintain his innocence.
"It means the world to me to be back in the car," Busch said during a teleconference on Wednesday. "It's been a tough situation the last few months, and I've gone through this with confidence knowing that I know the truth and that I never did any of the things that I was accused of. It was a complete fabrication.
"But it's unfortunate that my personal life crossed over and affected my business life, but I can't wait to get to the track, to see my team, to shake their hands and say thanks for the support, and to go out there and make my first lap this weekend."
Regan Smith, a regular in the Xfinity Series, drove the No. 41 car in place of Busch in the first three Sprint Cup races this season. Smith finished 16th at both Daytona and Las Vegas and 17th at Atlanta.
"The hardest part about all of this has been sitting out watching the 41 car go around the racetrack, especially at the Daytona 500," Busch said. "Atlanta is one of my favorite tracks, and Las Vegas is my hometown track. It's been torture sitting out of the car."
Stewart-Haas Racing released a statement regarding Busch's reinstatement.
"We appreciate the steps Kurt Busch has made while following NASCAR's process for reinstatement," SHR executive vice president Joe Custer said in the team statement. "He has taken this path seriously, which allowed him to return to our race team. With his reinstatement and the conclusion by the Delaware Attorney General to not file charges, our focus is on the future."
Chevrolet has lifted its suspension of Busch as well.
"Now that Kurt Busch has been reinstated by NASCAR and is able to fulfill his obligations associated with our agreement, we have lifted our suspension and will continue to monitor the situation," Jim Campbell, Chevrolet's vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports, said in a statement.
[SportsNetwork.com]
