Kurt Busch’s indefinite suspension is over and he’s eligible to return to competition effective immediately, NASCAR announced Wednesday.
NASCAR reinstates Kurt Busch, makes him eligible for Chase
The former NASCAR champion can return immediately and has been granted a waiver to remain eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Busch was suspended Feb. 20 following a Delaware Family Court commissioner determining “more likely than not” Busch committed an act of domestic abuse against former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll, in an incident that occurred in Busch’s motor home Sept. 26 at Dover International Speedway.
The court issued a no-contact order against Busch, who admitted to “cupping” Driscoll’s face but denied assaulting her. Driscoll alleges Busch grabbed her by the throat and smashed her head three times against a bedroom wall.
“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,” Busch said. “It was a complete fabrication.
“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.”
The Delaware Attorney General’s office declined to press charges against Busch on March 5, citing lack of evidence and witnesses able to verify Driscoll’s account of events. That opened the possibility of him returning.
“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,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president.
Driscoll, the president of the Armed Forces Foundation and a defense contractor, disagreed with NASCAR’s decision to reinstate Busch.
“Even though Kurt remains on indefinite probation under this decision, I’m deeply concerned about the message NASCAR is sending by letting him compete for the championship after he was found by a judge to have committed an act of domestic violence,” she said in a statement. “But I am gratified, at least, that NASCAR’s decision comes with the mandatory condition that he follow through on the treatment he so clearly needs.
“Though this continues to be a difficult time for me, I remain committed to standing up for my integrity and seeking full justice.”
To regain eligibility Busch needed to follow a specific terms and conditions set forth by NASCAR and an independent behavioral health expert. A NASCAR spokesman confirmed to SB Nation last week that Busch agreed to the guidelines at the end of February.
“I understand why NASCAR needed to take the action that it did,” Busch said. “This is a very serious issue. The way that NASCAR reacted, it was different than what we had been told all along. They were more focused on the criminal side, as were we.”
Additionally, the sanctioning body granted Busch a waiver Wednesday, and therefore he is eligible to qualify for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, provided he wins a race and finishes better than 30th in points.
“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,” O’Donnell said. “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.”
When NASCAR modified its Chase format before the 2014 season it provided the option for drivers to seek an exemption if they missed a race and still qualify for the playoffs. Busch becomes the fourth driver to use the provision.
Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart each received an exemption last season. Hamlin missed a single start after a piece of metal became lodged in his eye on the day of the March 23 race at Auto Club Speedway. Stewart missed three consecutive starts in August following his involvement in the death of Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint car race in Upstate New York.
"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."
Ultimately Hamlin made the Chase based on a May victory at Talladega Superspeedway, while Stewart went winless and failed to earn a playoff berth.
Brian Vickers was granted an exemption after undergoing open heart surgery in December. He missed the first two races of this season during his recovery, returning last weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The latest transgression marked Busch’s third suspension. In 2005 he was suspended two races for an altercation with an Arizona police officer, and in 2012 NASCAR banned Busch for a single race after he threatened a reporter.
“I’m appreciative of the process, of the road to recovery,” Busch said. “To me, it’s a roadmap that they laid out that I am respecting. It’s created such a good foundation to utilize moving forward that I wish I would have done it sooner.”
During his suspension Busch missed three races, including the Daytona 500. He will return to the Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 41 car this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway.
Watching someone driving his car, Busch equated to “torture,” as he not only sat out NASCAR’s biggest event but last weekend’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, his home track.
Regan Smith drove in Busch’s absence with a best finish of 16th (twice).
SHR executive vice president Joe Custer said the team’s “focus is on the future” in a statement and welcomed Busch’s return.
“We appreciate the steps Kurt Busch has made while following NASCAR’s process for reinstatement,” Custer said. “He has taken this path seriously, which allowed him to return to our race team.”
Although he plans to remain aggressive on the track upon his return, Busch will modify his behavior away from it. The decision to be more mindful comes following a discussion with NASCAR CEO Brian France, who told Busch he loved his passion behind the wheel but needed to change outside the car.
Said Busch: “(France) told me, ‘Don’t change. Don’t be the person that’s different in the car, but be a different person outside of the car. Go be yourself in that car. That’s what we really love. We love Kurt Busch behind the wheel. Go out there, use that passion, go for those wins.’ And that’s my focus is to be humble through this whole process but let actions speak louder than words.”
When he returns to competition Friday, the No. 41 car will no longer carry Busch’s nickname “Outlaw” above its door. Instead he replace the moniker he’s fondly embraced in recent years as a symbol to the perceived unfair treatment by the media.
“My reputation will iron itself out in whichever way that it is,” Busch said. “But my focus is the race car, and as I move forward, I’m putting my signature above the door of the car. I’m proud to have my signature on the side of a car that (co-owner) Gene Haas has and to carry his name into victory lane.”
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