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NASCAR Suspends Kurt Busch Indefinitely

Daytona Beach, Fla. – NASCAR suspended driver Kurt Busch indefinitely for actions detrimental to stock car racing, citing two sections of the rule book. The suspension came two days before NASCAR’s biggest race, the Daytona 500.

In a statement by Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, he said, “NASCAR fully recognized the serious nature of the specific situation involving Busch and the broader issue domestic violence. Based on our review of the available details, including the court’s findings that were released earlier today, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch.”.

Going on, O’Donnell added, “Kurt Busch and Stewart Haas Racing are fully aware of why we made this decision, and as with any suspended membership, Kurt will have the right to appeal, and if he does elect to appeal, NASCAR will expedite the appeal process.”

In a report released earlier on Friday, the Kent County (Del.) family court commissioner stated that Busch smashed his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll’s head against his motor home wall Sept. 26 at Dover International Speedway.
Busch’s attorney Rusty Hardin said the suspension will be appealed.

“We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal,” Hardin said in a statement. “We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold.”

In a late Friday evening update, NASCAR said the expedited appeal will be heard on Saturday, the day preceding the Daytona 500.

Busch was to have lined-up 24th in the Daytona 500 and now it is expected his team will have to go to its contingency plan, naming a substitute driver soon. Wide speculation is that Regan Smith will jump into the No. 41 Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet if the suspension is upheld.

Concurrently with the NASCAR announcement, Chevrolet also suspended Busch. “Chevrolet has suspended its relationship with Kurt Busch indefinitely,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet vice president of Motorsports and Performance Vehicles.

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